YORK City Knights ace Scott Rhodes could be facing an extended spell on the sidelines.

The in-form half-back saw the club doctor yesterday to assess the damage to his left knee, injured in Sunday's 25-18 defeat by Sheffield Eagles on Sunday.

However, the swelling on the knee meant the doctor was unable to carry out a proper examination.

Rhodes has now been booked into see a specialist next Thursday, when it is hoped the inflammation will have reduced.

It means Rhodes is ruled out of Sunday's trip to Gateshead with chief executive Steve Ferres indicating the 23-year-old could be out for some time.

"We've not been able to get a proper diagnosis yet but it's looking worse than we first thought," Ferres told the Evening Press.

sport@ycp.co.uk

Updated: 11:34 Thursday, July 31, 2003