Double rap for Knights

12:50pm Friday 18th July 2008

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YORK City Knights were today hoping to finalise a deal for want-away winger Lee Mapals – but have suffered a major double injury blow in the meantime.

National League One side Dewsbury Rams have shown an interest in signing the 22-year-old but up to now had offered no suitable player or players in exchange.

They might therefore have to offer cash to get their man, as the Knights are holding out for a player exchange or transfer fee, but the transfer deadline for NL1 clubs is 5.30pm today so they need to act fast. The NL2 deadline is August 8.

The Knights, who put Mapals on the transfer list at his own request, are also now resigned to losing hard-working second-row Rob Kelly for the season and full-back Danny Ratcliffe for three weeks.

Kelly has broken bones in his hand followed an accident at work, while Ratcliffe is back in pot with his own hand injury.

Dewsbury need three-quarters after centres Chris Langley and Chris Hall suffered bad injuries, joining another back, Bryn Powell, on the sidelines. Former Knight Langley broke a leg. The Rams might recall Dave Clayton from York at the end of his month-long loan, but Mapals is their immediate target.

Knights player-boss Paul March said: “It would be good to get it sorted for all concerned.

“If the offer is right, Lee will be a Dewsbury player.”

Ratcliffe, who retook the full-back berth from Mapals, suffered a suspected fractured scaphoid in the game at London Skolars three weeks ago and, although an X-ray showed no break, it is now known he has suffered a different broken bone in his hand after the win over Blackpool on Sunday.

Clayton will take the number one shirt for Sunday’s trip to Workington if Rob Spicer passes fit to return at centre, but this looks unlikely at present so academy full-back Mark Wilson could get a recall.

March said: “Danny had an excellent game on Sunday and came up with two tries. It will be a massive loss. However, Mark Wilson can jump in there and Dave Clayton can play at full-back as well.

“Rob Kelly is in plaster. He’s been playing with an injury that swells up after games but goes down. After this weekend, it got really swollen and he’s had to go to hospital. He’s having an operation this weekend and his season is over.

“It’s very disappointing for him. He’s been one of the most consistent players we’ve had and does a lot of things spectators don’t always see. He also gives a massive defensive effort – he does 40-plus tackles a game. We’ve now got to find some to come in and make those tackles. However, it gives someone else an opportunity to stake a claim.”