YORK City Knights have suffered a major blow in the first week of the season, losing winger Austin Buchanan to a broken arm.

The try-scoring ace suffered the injury in Sunday's opening game of the season, the loss away to Castleford, though it was not yet known how long he will be out for.

Swelling after the game made it hard to get an accurate diagnosis then, but his arm was put in pot immediately as a precaution in case it was broken.

Those fears have now been confirmed though the extent of the injury was not yet known, with Buchanan due to return to the specialist today for a full assessment. The break is on the forearm, and there are fears there could be damage to the wrist as well.

Knights coach Mick Cook said: "I don't want to predict anything at this moment until we get the accurate diagnosis.

"It's a blow. He's a quality try-scorer and he's a quality asset to the team.

"It's a loss to us, especially at this stage of the season."

Cook may now look to the Knights' link-up with Leeds Rhinos to find a straight replacement, Buchanan being one of only two specialist wingers at York, but he may have to run with the squad he's got for Sunday's first home game of the season, against Hunslet.

Matt Blaymire moved from full-back to the wing following Buchanan's departure on Sunday, with Chris Ross dropping back from centre to full-back. Blaymire is again an option to start on the wing, though utility back Ross could also move across.

Cook will also have a look at in-form York RUFC winger Rob Kama in action. He is still registered to the Knights, though is unlikely to return at least until his rugby union commitments are completed.

Updated: 10:04 Wednesday, February 16, 2005