YORK City Knights have had to step up their search for half-back reinforcements after suffering another major blow.
Danny Grimshaw has been ruled out for the season after suffering the same injury as club captain Scott Rhodes, his fellow half-back.
Continued wear and tear means a disc has been bulging onto his spinal cord between the shoulder blades and he needs an operation to put it right.
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This means player-coach Paul March is the only out-and-out half-back on the first-team books, although young Danny Ratcliffe has switched, quite successfully, to stand-off from full-back.
March said losing Grimshaw, so soon after Rhodes, was a "massive blow" to the squad.
"He's going to see a specialist and will look to get it operated on," he said.
"We haven't got any cover at half-back now. He's a natural half-back, whereas Danny Ratcliffe is not. He's had a few good games and will be very disappointed he will be missing the rest of the season.
"I've been happy with his recent form. He played with injury against Workington and let himself down a bit - he declared himself fit and I took his word for it - but before that he was going well."
March and his coaching team have been keeping their eyes out for an available replacement for some time and have further cause now to scour the market.
The Press understands Wakefield youngster Kyle Wood is on the list of possible loan targets. However, York's National League Two rivals Doncaster, whom they entertain at Huntington Stadium on Bank Holiday Monday, have first refu-sal on the 18-year-old.
The Knights are also likely to be tracking Leeds Rhinos youngsters Danny Allan and Simon Brown, who are both 18.
York-born Allan, a self-confessed Knights fan, has previously been linked with a loan move to Huntington Stadium but he was on the verge of first-team recognition at Headingley at the time. Leeds might, however, be in a position to loan him out in the near future and his local club would be a good option.
Former York Wasps utility ace Jamie Benn, the Scotland international, is also a potential target. The ex-Castleford ace, who can play half-back, full-back or in the threequarters, was loaned out to NL2 rivals Rochdale by NL1 side Featherstone in late February.
However, March says the Knights will not be rushed into any new signings, at least while he and Ratcliffe are fit and playing well - otherwise it would mean shelling out a possible fee for someone who might not play.
"We have been keeping an eye out on who is available and I've been stepping it up in recent weeks," he explained.
"There's myself and Danny Ratcliffe at present and if there are any injuries to either of us at least we will know who we can or can't get.
"There's no point paying for someone to come on loan and not playing him, if me and Danny are going well at half-back. But we will strengthen at half-back if we need to."
David March, the player-coach's twin, has filled in at stand-off this season and Rob Spicer has done likewise in the past, but neither are recognised half-backs. Recent signing Gareth Greenwood also has experience at half-back, although he is known more as a hooker.
Andy Gargan, who is a half-back, returned to the reserve ranks last week after helping his amateur club, York Acorn, to promotion in the National Conference League. The Knights kept his registration throughout his time back at Thanet Road and he might be another option.
Posted by: INFORMER, Halifax/Huddersfield on 10:48pm Fri 2 May 08
The York coaching/scouting people need look no further than the Pennine Premier at young half back Chris Holroyd (MACCY) this guy has been fantastic for the Halifax Irish for over 3 seasons and has out played Grimshaw each time he has played against him.Knights take note he is your man
The York coaching/scouting people need look no further than the Pennine Premier at young half back Chris Holroyd (MACCY) this guy has been fantastic for the Halifax Irish for over 3 seasons and has out played Grimshaw each time he has played against him.Knights take note he is your man
thats why hes still in the pennine league, and as for outplaying grimshaw hes not in the same class as grimmer,[bold]bold[/bold] who are you to be little another person to promote another you ought to be ashamed of yourself
thats why hes still in the pennine league, and as for outplaying grimshaw hes not in the same class as grimmer, who are you to be little another person to promote another you ought to be ashamed of yourself
just made enquiries with sharlston rovers committee regarding your remarks and from their records danny has only played onematch against irish which sharlston won, and also danny got the referees man of the match,you may contact rovers secretary for confermation if you wish,so please get your facts right before you slander peoples name. Im sure if chris holdroyd is good enough scouts will pick up on him and he will get his chance without people like you degrading another player in his interest and i,m sure maccy would not have appreciate your gutter press remarks[bold]bold[/bold]
just made enquiries with sharlston rovers committee regarding your remarks and from their records danny has only played onematch against irish which sharlston won, and also danny got the referees man of the match,you may contact rovers secretary for confermation if you wish,so please get your facts right before you slander peoples name. Im sure if chris holdroyd is good enough scouts will pick up on him and he will get his chance without people like you degrading another player in his interest and i,m sure maccy would not have appreciate your gutter press remarks
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