YORK City Knights have suffered a major blow after in-form hooker Harry Carter had to be rushed into hospital for an emergency operation.

Carter had recently been playing with a hernia and was being lined up for routine surgery at a suitable time in the coming weeks, but the problem flared up dramatically after Sunday's game against Whitehaven and medics decided he should be operated on there and then.

It at least means the surgery is now out of the way but the 23-year-old will almost certainly be sidelined for longer than the four weeks he was likely going to miss.

The Press understands the Knights have already been scouring the market for cover, and a short-term replacement is already being lined up, though this weekend's clash at Keighley Cougars may come too soon.

Head coach James Ford would not comment on that but, on Carter, he said: "It's certainly a big blow. We all know what Harry brings to the team.

"He's needed the operation but has been doing a pretty good job. After the Whitehaven game, though, it got a bit worse and he had the op there and then. Where the hernia was also made it a bit more complicated.

"The positive thing is it's done now and he's on the road to recovery. It will be longer than the four weeks we had planned but hopefully he will be back to play a full part come the Super 8s."

Asked if the emergency aspect to it was concerning, Ford said: "Not many things worry Harry to be honest, but we were a bit concerned. He seems to be in decent spirits."

Carter's loss comes at a bad time, potentially leaving the team with only one fit hooker for Sunday's tough trip to Cougar Park.

Andy Ellis (calf) has sat out the past two matches and remains doubtful, while dual-reg Will Jubb was called up by parent club Hull KR last week. The Knights are hopeful he will be made available again soon, maybe even this weekend, but it is far from certain.

Recent new recruit Connor Robinson is an option to go in at hooker having played there for Halifax but, assuming he continues at half-back, with Jonny Presley on honeymoon and Harry Tyson-Wilson only just returning to training after his knee injury, that leaves only Pat Smith - who played for the first time since Easter on Sunday - as a recognised dummy-half.