Gannon returns to York Knights on season-long loan from Challenge Cup holders

JACOB Gannon has returned to York Knights on a season-long loan from Betfred Challenge Cup holders Leigh Leopards.

The 21-year-old forward made two appearances for York on loan from Warrington Wolves in 2021, later linking up with Adrian Lam's side ahead of the 2023 season.

Gannon is yet to make his Leigh debut, but last year represented both AB Sundecks 1895 Cup champions Halifax Panthers and Betfred Championship promotion-winners London Broncos.

A former England Academy international, he has also previously represented Rochdale Hornets, Bradford Bulls and Swinton Lions.

Gannon's signing will help to alleviate the club's injury and suspension crisis, which sees as many as nine players potentially unavailable for Sunday's visit of Championship title favourites Wakefield Trinity.

Both captain Liam Harris and Nikau Williams are suspended, whilst Richie Myler, Brenden Santi, Will Dagger and Jimmy Keinhorst have all picked up injuries over recent weeks.

Knights head coach Andrew Henderson enthused: "I'm really pleased to be able to bring Jacob here on loan.

"Jacob has been here before, so he's got familiarity with our environment, and I've briefly worked with him before at Warrington, so I've got familiarity with him personally too.

"We needed to get some more bodies in, with our current injuries and suspensions.

"But anyone that we bring in has to be of the right quality and the right personality to fit into our group and we believe that Jacob ticks all of those boxes.

"Jacob can play through the middle or on an edge, so he brings that versatility to our forward pack and he will certainly challenge our current forwards for a place in the side."

Gannon could make his Knights debut against Wakefield at the LNER Community Stadium on Sunday (3pm), in the second part of a double header with York Valkyrie, who will take on Featherstone Rovers in their Betfred Women's Challenge Cup quarter final (12pm).