YORK City Knights boss James Ford has admitted he has “an issue” at centre ahead of the new season after Brad Hey was ruled out for a month – just as Brad England was released by the club.

However, perhaps tantalisingly for supporters, he intimated he was hopeful of bringing in new blood within the next week to “more than cover” the holes.

Hey broke a hand during Friday’s friendly against Castleford Tigers, with X-rays later confirming the injury.

The 21-year-old - who had bagged the team’s second try that night, giving them a 12-0 lead which they were later to relinquish in the 20-16 defeat – trained on his own on Tuesday evening with his lower arm in plaster while the rest of the team took on York Acorn ARLC in a practice match.

Meanwhile, his replacement off the bench last Friday, England, gave an off-form display on his Knights bow and, while Ford said any misfiring player would get further chances to impress, the 21-year-old has since left the club “by mutual consent”.

Ford - left with only James Morland and utility back Tyler Craig as recognised centres - would not say whom he had in mind as long-term replacements, but he did say the club were “looking at a few options”. And he suggested recruits were imminent.

Ford - whose team kick off their campaign against Hunslet on February 21 - said of his centre dilemma: “It is an issue, but we have no competitive games for a few weeks yet and we will see what transpires in the next seven days.

"Hopefully we will more than cover the gaps."

Hey arrived at the Knights from Batley last July and went on to play four times, all off the bench, and all in a winning side.

He seemed in line to begin the coming season in the starting 13.

Ford said: “He broke his hand early on in the game. It’s a blow. He was showing up pretty well for us, carrying the ball strongly, scoring that try and putting himself about defensively.

“He’s out for four weeks but when he comes back, I expect him to put a strong challenge in for a starting spot.”

Meanwhile, former Leeds academy, Salford and Featherstone player England, the son of Great Britain international and Castleford favourite Keith England, is now a free agent.

An error-strewn display against Cas had not helped his chances of a first-team berth.

But Ford said: “We wish him all the best. I’m sad to lose a good person. But bridges aren’t burnt. The club think the world of Brad and we wish him well in whatever he does next.”

Hey is the sixth Knights player being looked after by physios.

Austin Buchanan is hoping to be fit for the season's start after his hernia operation, while fellow winger Ben Dent, who has suffered unexplained headaches during pre-season, is also back running but is to see a neurologist before returning to full training.

James Haynes (knee reconstruction) and Micky Learmonth (pectoral operation) are in long-term rehab, while trialist Jack Anderson still has a shoulder problem.

Danny Nicklas and Tyler Craig sat out last Friday's friendly due to minor injuries but featured in Tuesday night's training match.