PROP Jack Aldous could be made to miss the start of the Championship One season by Rugby Football League beaks – leaving York City Knights “vulnerable” in the front row.

Aldous is to appear before an RFL disciplinary tribunal on Tuesday charged with a grade ‘B’ punching offence in the friendly against Sheffield on February 9.

Opponent Peter Green has been charged with grade ‘A’ punching in the same alleged skirmish.

Aldous, who was suspended for York’s first pre-season fixture this year due to a red card in the last match of last season, does not have the option of submitting an early guilty plea due to that previous misdemeanour.

A grade ‘B’ punching offence carries a punishment of one to two matches. If handed down, Aldous would miss the Champion-ship One opener against Gloucestershire and possibly the trip to arch-rivals Hunslet.

Fellow prop Iain Morrison has had a hamstring complaint and boss Gary Thornton said: “Hopefully Iain will be okay but if they’re both out we could be a bit vulnerable up front.”

Meanwhile, Josh Nathaniel, the winger recruited from Hunslet, might also have to start the season on the sidelines due to an ankle injury picked up at work.

Nathaniel, who works in the building trade, was due to play in the under-20s reserves match against Sheffield on Thursday but had to pull out.

X-rays showed no break but the sprain could keep him out of action for a fortnight.

In better news, Sam Orange’s knee injury does not look as bad as first feared.

The 21-year-old exited the final first-team friendly of pre-season – against York Select last Sunday – after taking a bang to the same knee that he had reconstructed last year. Said Thornton: “It seems to have settled down this week and we’re hopeful it’s not as serious as thought.”

The campaign starts at home to Gloucestershire All Golds a week tomorrow.