YORK City Knights have received a huge injury boost ahead of Sunday's visit of play-off rivals Newcastle Thunder.

Stand-off Jordan Howden, who hobbled off in the first half of Saturday night's victory over Gloucestershire All Golds, has not suffered knee ligament damage as feared but rather a haematoma – bruising on the knee.

There is even an outside chance he will be fit to keep his place in the 13 this weekend if it clears up in time.

Hard-hitting prop Colton Roche is also fit again now and itching for a recall, and is to be named in York's provisional 19-man match-day squad.

Dual-reg ace Howden was checked out by the medical staff at parent club Castleford, where he is also undergoing intensive rehabilitation.

Head coach James Ford said: "It's bruising on his knee rather than ligament damage, so he should not be out too long.

"It's very good news. We will see how he responds to treatment and rehab. We're not ruling him out for Newcastle.

"We're preparing for both scenarios – one where he plays and one where he doesn't."

If Howden makes it and continues his half-back partnership with Jonny Presley, Ford's key decision could be at hooker where Kriss Brining, axed for Gloucestershire after a below-par show at Oldham, will be hoping for a recall.

Pat Smith and Harry Carter took the hooking roles on Saturday, while Casey Canterbury is also in the frame.

If Howden doesn't make it, Smith is likely to revert back to scrum-half, having reformed his partnership with Presley following Howden's exit on Saturday. That could open the door for Brining or possibly Canterbury to return at dummy-half.

Ford, who has already admitted a selection headache at full-back with fit-again James Haynes back competing with Ben Dent, could also have a similar dilemma in the pack with Roche now pressing for a recall.

The 22-year-old has missed the last eight games after breaking a finger during the Challenge Cup tie at St Helens in mid-May and requiring surgery, but Ford confirmed he was now fit and "raring to go".

"Colton will be in the 19 this weekend," said the head coach, albeit without saying if he will make the 17.

Roche was in excellent form before his injury, with big hits and bigger hit-ups through defensive lines. But Ford must decide if he should return in such a key game after a two-month absence or wait another week for, on paper, an easier challenge in order to build up to the all-important run-in.

The form of his other forwards is another factor and the head coach said: "It's a tough decision whether to bring him back. He's a good player but he's not played for a while. It's a big call.

"I expect a few tough decisions this week. A number of good players did not play against Gloucestershire and are itching to come back in. I have to get the team right this week."