YORK City Knights turned down the chance to get Nathan Massey back from Castleford for tomorrow’s tough trip to Featherstone – paving the way for a surprise Championship debut for dreadlocked destroyer Adam Howard.

The ongoing saga surrounding the Cas trio – prop Massey, second-row John Davies and threequarter Jordan Thompson – has now come to an end, after the Knights hierarchy decided they would not renew their temporary deals.

General manager Ian Wilson said the decision was not financially motivated – York were paying the Tigers a fee to borrow each one, plus match payments to the players – but was down to a policy of developing players on the books for the long-term good of the club.

Former Peterlee amateur Howard, who made an impression in pre-season and has caught the eye in the reserves, is one such player, and he has been named in head coach Dave Woods’ 18-man squad tomorrow (3pm).

Wilson said: “We wouldn’t know how long Nathan Massey would be with us – he could be called back next week.

“We feel we need to work with and improve the players we’ve got rather than look to players from outside.”

Dual-registered Massey would have been available tomorrow and it is thought Davies, out of action this week due to injury, could have resumed a loan next week.

The latter had been voted by fans as The Press Player of the Month for March, and was the runaway leader of The Press Player of the Year charts, while Massey, February’s Player of the Month, was also high in the standings.

Wilson added: “We’ve had to play without them since Easter and we’ve picked up some points.”

Wilson did not rule out future loan or dual-reg signings.

He saids: “We have to judge each case on its merits.

“In this instance we’ve decided not to pay for somebody for one week who might not be here next week. There’s a financial aspect but that’s not the main reason. We feel under the circumstances this is the right way to go about it. It’s a club decision and Dave’s aware of the reasoning.”

Howard has become a cult figure at York despite only one competitive first-team appearance – in the Northern Rail Cup draw with London Skolars.

A place in the 17 cannot be guaranteed tomorrow, as it seems Howard is jousting with fit-again Davey Burns and Steve Lewis for two of the four bench spots. Howard has also been named in the provisional team before only to miss out – coincidentally on the last occasion York met Featherstone, in the Northern Rail Cup. But he trained with the first team this week and appears favourite to get the nod.

Jordan Rice is omitted after debuting in the entertaining 48-38 loss to leaders Leigh, a performance which Woods said had boosted confidence ahead of tomorrow’s trip to other title contenders.

“We need to put pressure on them, attack like we did last week but defend a lot better,” he added.

Featherstone, who would go level with Leigh by winning their games in hand following the Centurions shock loss to Halifax on Thursday, will be without Matty Dale, who broke a hand in last week’s victory at Dewsbury, but Sam Smeaton and Iain Morrison could return.

Boss Daryl Powell stressed his side, although big favourites, must be “on their game”.

He said: “Last week, York scored plenty of points against the team everyone says is the best at our level, and Thursday showed there are a lot of quality teams and you’ve got to be on your game week on week.”

Featherstone: from Hardman, Powell, Worthington, Bostock, Hepworth, Kain, Finn, Haley, Kaye, Dickens, Grayshon, Spears, Mukududu, Divorty, Welham, Netherton, Smeaton, Morrison.

Knights (probable): Bush, Haynes, Ford, Sutton, Smith, Thackeray, Thorman, Freer, Lee, Benson, Straugheir, Garside, Clarke. Subs: from Stearman, Presley, Lewis, Howard, Burns.

Referee: Clint Sharrad (Manchester).