SECOND-ROW enforcer Ryan Mallinder has been ruled out for the season - leaving York City Knights quickly seeking a replacement.

Mallinder has undergone surgery after 'X'-rays confirmed he broke both the tibia and fibula bones in his right leg in the first half of the Knights' win at Newcastle Thunder on Friday, with doctors saying he will be sidelined for at least six months before being able to train.

Head coach James Ford is "devastated" for his old mate, but The Press understands he is looking to act quickly in the transfer market, even if it is too late for Saturday's iPro Sport Cup final against Keighley Cougars in Blackpool, with the registration deadline for that competition long since past.

Said Ford: "Ryan has had his tibia and fibula pinned, and he's been advised by the surgeon it will be six months before he can come back into training.

"We're all devastated by that. Ryan's a big part of the group and the team and of how we play. He's held in great regard by the group and I'm sure the boys will be determined to do him proud on Saturday.

"It's his season finished. I'm devastated for him. I'm close friends with him as well as his coach and, as a young coach, I find things like that hard to deal with."

As for bringing in new blood, hot on the heels of winger Tommy Saxton's arrival last week, Ford said: "With Ryan being injured we're a bit lighter in there (in the pack) and will be for a while. We're also waiting for (fellow second-row) Matty Dale to get back (to fitness)."

On-loan prop Ross Osbourne is Mallinder's likely replacement in Saturday's showdown with the Cougars, the Hull FC youngster having been omitted in Friday's return to winning ways in Kingstone Press League One.

Hooker Harry Carter, like Dale (hamstring), is highly unlikely to pass fit for Blackpool but the club are hopeful he could be back for next Wednesday's rearranged match at home to Coventry Bears, or the clash with table-toppers Rochdale Hornets the following weekend.

Ford has been in contact with Wakefield Trinity Wildcats about the possibility of bringing second-row Jordan Crowther back on loan but the 19-year-old is seemingly close to a first-team spot at the rejuvenated Belle Vue club and is unlikely to be freed up for League One action.

* WAKEFIELD chairman Michael Carter says the Super League club are set to drop the Wildcats suffix next year.

The club introduced the Wildcats brand in 1999 ahead of their arrival in Super League, but played as Wakefield Trinity in their thrilling Magic Weekend victory over Catalans Dragons.

Carter has asked supporters about the idea of ditching the modern moniker and it has reportedly been well-received, with merchandise emblazoned only with the traditional Trinity logo selling well.

“We have got a fantastic heritage within this club and I don’t think we have made the most of it,” Carter told the Wakefield Express.

“So for me, it is Wakefield Trinity. I have always referred to it as Wakefield Trinity and I think the older generation of our fanbase love the fact it’s Wakefield Trinity."

Carter confirmed popular mascot Daddy Cool would not be forced out of the club, either way, with the Wildcats image likely to continue for the junior section.