Injuries are threatening to pile more personnel problems onto York Wasps' already depleted squad.

After yesterday's 48-6 home defeat by Sheffield Eagles, coach Lee Crooks revealed that two players had played with a broken hand and another with a dislocated thumb.

He declined to name the players carrying the injuries, though Gareth Dobson confirmed that he too may have broken his hand during the match.

In addition, stand-off Paddy Handley left the field after pulling a hamstring and scrum-half Danny Waite suffered a groin strain.

It is a worrying prospect for the Wasps who are already down to the bare bones following the departure of several players.

At least they had 17 players available yesterday, meaning Crooks did not have to continue his playing comeback.

The mid-week acquisition of Dave Birdsall from Lock Lane eased the situation, and he performed well after coming on as a first half substitute.

Crooks hinted that he may now look to make the 28-year-old forward's move more permanent.

"Dave took the ball forward well and made some good yards," said the Wasps boss, who is hoping to have another two players on board for next Sunday's visit of Leigh Centurions.

"He got caught out a bit defensively at times but that is understandable because it's a big step up from the National Conference League.

"I think he'll do a good job for us. He gives us a bit more strength up front."

Crooks believes mental toughness was the Wasps' downfall in yesterday's match which came just three days after their first league win of the season against Gateshead Thunder.

He said: "It was always going to be a tough ask for the players. Half the team believed they could go out and win the game and the other half didn't.

"If half the team are worried about tiredness setting in you're always going to have a problem.

"We lacked a bit of mental toughness and Sheffield took advantage of that. I think we've got beat because of the fixture situation, and players playing with broken bones doesn't help, but you've got to play the cards you're dealt with and unfortunately we didn't play them very well."

Despite those factors, York were still in with a chance at half-time when they trailed 14-6. At that stage Crooks was confident the Wasps could turn around the deficit and come away with another win.

He said: "At 14-6 I was fairly happy with the performance. If we did the basics right I thought we would get something out the game but the mental thing took over and some of the lads felt a bit sorry for themselves."

Updated: 10:40 Monday, February 26, 2001