JAMES FORD is hoping to bring new blood into the York City Knights ranks in time for Saturday's Summer Bash clash against Featherstone Rovers.

The Press understands talks have been ongoing with potential new recruits - currently more likely to be loan signings than permanent deals - as Ford seeks some much-needed cover for his injury-ravaged troops.

The Knights, who have continued to surprise the pundits this season following promotion last term, rose to third in the Championship table after Sunday's win at Rochdale Hornets, but they could well be down to the bare bones again for the game against Fev during the weekend extravaganza in Blackpool, especially after prop duo Ronan Dixon and Jordan Baldwinson limped off the field at Spotland to join the lengthy injury list.

York played the majority of that game with only two out-and-out front-rowers in Jack Teanby and Jack Blagbrough.

Asked if any re-strengthening was likely in the short-term, Ford said: "The club are working hard to ensure we can stay where we are in the table.

"There are plenty of conversations ongoing at the minute and I will speak to Jon (Flatman, chairman)."

He added: "What I will say is we do appreciate the supporters and sponsors getting behind us as they have done. That does increase our ability to attract players to the club."

Dixon felt worrying discomfort in the pre-match warm-up on Sunday and withdrew with what is thought to be a meniscus problem. Balwinson, who only signed from Wakefield Trinity on a permanent deal on the eve of the match, limped out after 10 minutes with potential medial collateral ligament damage.

Said Ford: "We will probably know more after training (on Tuesday night). Ronan was close to being available but felt discomfort enough for us to pull him out.

"We're waiting for Jordan's knee to settle down before we can assess it better.

"It's certainly not a positive.

"I would say our squad is getting put through some testing times. Everyone goes through these situations and we're in one at the moment.

"We're having a bit of a tough time in terms of the injuries we're picking up. We just need to stick together and get through it."

Utility packman Joe Porter was back in action on Sunday after a month out, while hooker Harry Carter is nearing a return after his lengthy absence.

But otherwise the Knights are struggling for bodies with star men Ash Robson, Ben Cockayne and Sam Scott all on the long-term absence list and previous loanees Joe Batchelor and Nick Rawsthorne, who had been expected to remain at Bootham Crescent possibly for the season, both being recalled by their parent clubs last month.

There is also only an outside chance of prop Graeme Horne and half-back Cain Southernwood passing fit for Saturday after sitting out the Rochdale trip.