Thorman joined the Knights from Super League side Hull FC

York City Knights assistant coach Chris Thorman says the side are ready for the start of the new season.

The Knights face Rochdale on Sunday in the Northern Rail Cup and Thorman told BBC Radio York their preparations have gone well.

"Everyone's looking good, everyone's looking fit, everyone's looking strong," he said.

"We've got the Northern Rail Cup for the first few weeks but I think there'll be some nice little tests."

He added: "The more we play together the more we start to get used to people, so I think offensively we'll only improve as the season goes on.

"Defensively, I'm really happy. We've been really competent in that area so far and I hope that continues to improve."

Most of this season's squad featured in at least one of the pre-season friendlies and Thorman said team selection will not be easy.

"There's going to be some unhappy faces around the place when they find they're not going to be taking part on Sunday," he added.

"Rugby league is very much a squad game now. How people react to disappointment will tell me quite a few things about the individual."

Thorman is in charge of the first team until 25 March after coach James Ratcliffe was suspended by the Rugby Football League for bringing the game into disrepute.

He said: "When we heard what had happened with James our initial reaction was one of disappointment.

"We didn't anticipate that but that's what happened and we just have to get on with it.

"We all need to stay strong and stay together and everyone needs to muck in that extra little bit.

"James isn't about, which does make a difference, but we're going to make it as minimal an amount of disruption as possible and that means everyone working in the same direction and applying themselves and being as professional as possible."

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