One of York Knights’ most experienced players is facing a race against time to play again this season.
Second-rower Josh Griffin is set to undergo surgery after being injured during last Thursday’s 38-14 home win against Toulouse Olympique.
Speaking at his weekly preview press conference today (Tuesday) ahead of Friday’s tough trip to St Helens, coach Mark Applegarth confirmed the former Castleford Tigers, Hull FC and Wakefield Trinity veteran is facing an extended spell on the sidelines.
It was initially thought Griffin had torn a bicep, but Applegarth revealed: “It is a ruptured pec’.
“He has got a full rupture so he will be having surgery next week and, off the top of my head, I’d say he’ll be out for three-four months – probably nearer the four than the three.”
Applegareth admitted: “I am gutted for Josh. I know it has hit him hard because he put a lot of effort in to get back to playing how he was.
“He had just started to look like his old self again. Unfortunately, it is part of the game, we will make sure we rally round him and get him back fit and hopefully we may get him back for the end of the season.”
York Knights boss provides updates on several injured players
There is better news on several of York’s long-term casualties, including Mitch Clark who is recovering from a similar injury to Griffin’s, Kieran Hudson (knee) and Liam Harris (hamstring).
“Mitch won’t be in contention for York this week, but he is back training and looking lively,” Applegarth said.
“All being well, we will be able to get him some game time soon. Kieran Hudson is back training now and we are just making sure he is fully fit.
“Hopefully if it’s not this week, he’ll definitely be back in the not too distant future. Liam is flying through his re-hab. He’s back running, doing a lot of jogging.
“He’s up to two or three kms on the field, nothing too silly as you’d expect coming back from a hamstring injury, but he has really attacked his rehab and it’s pleasing to see him back out on the training field.”
Former Saints, Castleford Tigers and Hull KR half-back Danny Richardson isn’t expected to feature on Friday.
Applegarth stated: “Danny had a scan a couple of weeks ago that showed nothing too serious so we are just going off symptoms at the moment.
“He has had a bit of an issue with the thigh on his kicking leg. We’ve just got to manage those symptoms and go off Danny’s word when he says he’s feeling a bit better, then we can progress his training a bit more.”
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