DOMINIC Young's successful transition to the NRL has encouraged the Newcastle Knights to go shopping in the English marketplace on a regular basis.
Young arrived in Newcastle at the start of last season as a virtual unknown, having played only two Super League games for Huddersfield Giants. He was joined by another English teenager, former Castleford fullback Bailey Hodgson.
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While injuries have prevented Hodgson from making his NRL debut, Young has scored seven tries in 10 top-grade appearances, including three tries this year.
It has been enough for Newcastle recruitment manager Clint Zammit to head to England recently to scour the marketplace, and Huddersfield utility back Will Pryce and Wigan second-rower Kai Pearce-Paul feature on a list of potential targets.
"We're attempting to bring more English players out to the club," Knights CEO Phil Gardner said.
"We've been very happy with Dominic Young and we also have high hopes for Bailey Hodgson. He just needs a chance to string some games together. They've been great.
"We'd like to regularly have English players coming into the club. They add something to the club and the fans love them."
Gardner was hopeful of establishing a "two-way street" between Newcastle and the United Kingdom.
"If our players can spend a couple of years at the end of their careers playing in England, it's good for them and also a recruitment tool for us," he said. "We can ask for their opinions of the players over there, and they can help spread the word that the Knights are a good club to play for. That all helps with the process."
Chris Joynt, Lee Jackson, Brian Carney and Joe Wardle are among previous British imports to have played for the Knights.
Newcastle's immediate priority is to secure skipper Kalyn Ponga, who is reportedly close to signing a lucrative contract extension.
