YORK City Knights have received major blows ahead of tomorrow's long trip to Gloucestershire All Golds - big second-row Pete Aspinall has left the club and captain James Haynes has suffered a concerning setback in his rehab.

Boss James Ford has been quick to scour for possible replacements for Aspinall and, while he is not naming targets, The Press understands he is close to agreeing terms with a proven Championship back-rower as well as a leading amateur.

However, the bad news on the injury front, which means Haynes is being ruled out indefinitely, has also extended to prop Micky Learmonth and new recruits Casey Canterbury and Lee Waterman.

Learmonth's loan spell has been curtailed after two games, after tests on the ankle he damaged in the loss at Swinton last week showed he will be out for six weeks, while Canterbury tore a bicep on his debut at Park Lane - leaving Harry Carter as the only fit hooker in the squad - and Waterman has a knee problem.

Ford said the latest absences gave "other players opportunities" and he was poised to bring back Tyler Craig, Jack Pickles, Ryan Mallinder and - two months since his sole previous appearance - Kane Riley into the team that takes on the All Golds today (3pm).

Adam Dent and teenager Liam Richmond were also set to travel.

"Pete has left by mutual agreement," said Ford of the strapping six-footer who bagged two tries in five appearances before a two-match ban. "His work commitments, starting a career as a personal trainer, have impacted on his ability to commit to training.

"He's got potential but to fulfil that he needs to be on the training field. There are no hard feelings and, if he gets himself sorted, we could look at bringing him back."

Ford this week partly blamed the growing number of injuries on the lack of a regular training venue due to the ongoing community stadium saga.

He added of the injury list: "It's up to me and my staff to get solutions. The lads in the squad are all good players. It's disappointing to have players missing but those that come in have an opportunity to show us their progression and are more than capable."

The biggest concern is over Haynes, who requires further tests on his troublesome back. The popular full-back has previously had a year out due to a serious back problem and, after regaining form and fitness, was just getting back to his best. It is unclear if the new problem is linked to the old one.

"We're concerned for him and we need to get to the bottom of what's causing this complaint," said Ford. "It's looking longer-term than we thought."

He added: "Micky's injury is worse than we hoped. He's gone back to Huddersfield Giants for rehab. He fitted in really well and was enjoying it. We'll look at bringing him back when he's fit.

"Casey got through 20 minutes after tearing a bicep, which is some going. Lee has a minor knee injury. He'll sit this weekend out and is cup-tied for the St Helens (Challenge Cup) tie next week so should be okay after that."

Gloucestershire, who were only edged out 33-30 by table-toppers Oldham last week, shocked York in the corresponding fixture last year.

"They caught us by surprise but they won't do that again," said Ford. "We will have to be focused and play to our best.

"Their recent scoreline against Swinton (60-18 defeat) didn't reflect the game - they were much better than it suggests - and against Oldham they showed a heap of character to go to a place like that and be within a whisker of taking the points. Having looked at the game, they had a right to be aggrieved.

"Lee Greenwood (All Golds' new coach) is obviously doing a good job, and they've got a good set-up off the field which facilitates their progress."

All Golds' former Knights second-row, Ash Haynes, is out long-term after sustaining a broken leg, while centre Jamie Crowther is doubtful with an ankle injury, but former North Wales prop Alex Davidson has been added.

Knights (probable): B Dent, Craig, Cunningham, Minikin, Morrison, P Smith, Presley, Applegarth, Carter, Aldous, E Smith, Tonks, Roche. Subs: from Riley, Nicholson, Pickles, Mallinder, Richmond, A Dent.