GREG MINIKIN might be back in action for York City Knights much sooner than originally thought - with an outside chance of returning for the big clash with Newcastle a week on Sunday.

The Knights' star centre, a clear leader in The Press Player of the Year standings, departed Sunday's League One defeat at Oldham with what was believed to be a bad hamstring tear.

However the latest diagnosis is that the tear is only minor and, while head coach James Ford will not rush him back, he was cheered to learn the team's top try-scorer in the league will not be sidelined until late August as previously feared.

Ford, who suffered hamstring problems himself as a player, said: "It's not as bad as we first feared or suspected. Hopefully we could be seeing Greg back sooner rather than later.

"He has an outside chance of being fit for the Newcastle game, which would be a timely boost as he's been an outstanding player for us this year.

"However, with the nature of the injury and the stage of Greg's development, if he's not right we won't rush him back.

"I've been in this situation myself. You can come back early and turn a small tear into a severe tear and we would lose him for much longer. We will play it safe and nurture him back.

"The good thing is, we're not now looking at a six or seven-week absence or anything like that."

Minikin, who definitely won't feature when the Knights host Gloucestershire All Golds at Heworth ARLC tomorrow (6pm), was getting additional diagnosis and treatment this week at Castleford Tigers, the Knights partnership Super League club - and the team with whom he has been heavily linked in recent weeks.

Asked if this suggested the 20-year-old would be a Cas player next year, Ford said: "It's just another example of how dual-reg partnerships can work well.

"The clubs have worked pretty cohesively this year, and sharing medical facilities is an example of how two clubs can work together."