ACE hooker Harry Carter is to go for a second opinion from medics to rule out a possible season-ending injury.

The York City Knights star was helped off the field in the first half of Saturday's Challenge Cup win at Askam after a controversial tackle which was put on report by the referee and which head coach James Ford described on first viewing as "dangerous and reckless".

It is thought the 24-year-old sprained the medial collateral ligament in a knee, which can take anything from three weeks to three months to heal. However, there is a concern the anterior cruciate ligament has been damaged - which could potentially sideline him for the year, just two games into the new campaign.

The Knights' injury woes were also compounded later in the match when second-row Mike Kelly departed with a hamstring strain, which could rule him out for a month.

On Carter's injury, Ford said: "You can't tell too much until the swelling goes down.

"He's going to get a second opinion regarding the ACL. We don't think it's that. We're just doing right by Harry to get another opinion, just in case. If I was to hedge bets I'd say it's a sprained MCL.

"We'll see how it settles down. Some recover a lot quicker than others.

"Hopefully he will recover really quickly. He showed glimpses on Saturday of why we think so highly of him.

He added: "It's always a blow to lose anyone, let alone someone with the ability that Harry's got.

"But all sportspeople can get injured. It comes with the territory. I'm just looking forward to seeing him back out there.

"It's a squad competition and this opens an opportunity for Will Jubb, who we know is a fantastic hooker in his own right."

Ford is still waiting to receive video footage of the match from Askam, but he feared Carter had been the victim of "chopping" below the side of the knee by a third man joining in the tackle.

But he said: "When I saw it live it looked dangerous and reckless. Harry was on one foot and the player has chopped him from the side. It's not great for the game.

"At best it's poor technique, at worst it's very reckless. You can't go around doing things like that."

The incident is to be looked at by the Rugby Football League's match review panel.

Ford, meanwhile, was hopeful Kelly's rotten luck would soon change.

The 28-year-old missed much of his last two seasons with Doncaster due to injury and has already suffered two since joining York, the first in pre-season.

Said the head coach: "It's probably a grade 2 hamstring strain. If he gets through rehab well, it could be three to four weeks (on the sidelines).

"He has had some bad luck, but this is a good club in terms of the support he will get. Mark Helme (strength and conditioning coach) will do a lot of work with him. I suffered a lot myself with hamstring problems so can give some advice.

"It's about making sure he does all the right things now and I'm sure he will because he's a very good pro."

Meanwhile, the Knights have had to alter their training programme this week - and may not get together at all tonight if the wintry weather worsens again.

The team did not train outside on Tuesday because of the snow so worked indoors on weights and wrestling techniques.

Ford added of tonight's session: "I won't ask the boys to risk travelling in if it's dangerous. If it clears up, we'll get together. If we can't get outside, we'll amend our plans accordingly."

There are some doubts over whether Sunday's League One match at Coventry will beat the weather, although temperatures are suppose to ease nearer the weekend.