York Knights will utilise their partnership with Newcastle Thunder again this weekend with Serious About Rugby League understanding that former Castleford Tigers winger Andy Djeukessi will be loaned in to play in place of David Nofoaluma.
The Knights have utilised that partnership with Newcastle well this year as the likes of Sam Cook and Tom Inman have performed well in a York shirt and it’s understood that Andy Djeukessi will be the latest to make the move.
He’ll replace David Nofoaluma, who failed a HIA in the loss to Huddersfield, and head coach Mark Applegarth would tease a signing when offering an injury update.
Speaking on Wednesday, Applegarth said: “David is doing fine. He’s passed his next head test, I think it’s three days later that you have to do another but he’s got the 12-day protocol (to go through).
“There may or may not be a new face in the squad, I’ll leave that one with you.”
That face is expected to be Djeukessi, who made one Super League appearance whilst at Castleford. The Knights have also been linked to signing Huddersfield’s Matty English on loan, as first reported by Love Rugby League.
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York Knights man out of hospital after scary infection
Outside of the injury to David Nofoaluma, who they have been swiftly able to replace, Applegarth would offer a wider injury update with Jesse Dee only just leaving hospital for an infection he sustained in Toulouse.
Applegarth confirmed: “Jesse Dee is out of hospital. He got out of hospital at 6 pm last night, so that’s nine days in hospital to get over that infection. He still won’t be in contention.”
Explaining what had happened, the coach said: “Before the Toulouse game he had a bit of a cut on the front of his shin, I think from a clash of studs. It looked nasty but not too nasty and he was taking some tablets for that.
“When he got back from France, it took a bit of a turn for the worse and he started getting a fever and signs of an infection. When he’s been in hospital, the doctors have hammered home how serious that was getting.
“He’s been on a drip and has now been released so he’s in a stable condition. Jesse being Jesse wants to play but sometimes you have to protect players from themselves.”
Another reason why York have moved for Djeukessi, who has 20 tries in 19 for Newcastle this year, is because Ben Jones-Bishop remains out with Applegarth revealing the veteran to be a ‘week or two away from coming back’.
