MIGHTY forward John Okul spoke today of his anguish after becoming the latest player to join the ever-increasing list of casualties on York City Knights' long-term treatment table.

X-rays have confirmed that the Papua New Guinean powerhouse broke the middle finger of his left hand during Sunday's stunning victory over Chorley at Huntington Stadium, only his second game for the club.

The Hull-based 28-year-old, who had a major impact on that game, including scoring a crucial second-half try, will now have his hand in pot for six weeks, forcing him out of Friday's final regular season match against Hunslet and the all-important play-offs.

He told the Evening Press: "I'm very, very gutted. It's a nightmare. I tried to talk them out of it and asked if I could play but the consultant said there was no way I could.

"I thought it (the finger) had just popped out but I went to Accident and Emergency in Hull and they said it was a fracture."

Okul had signed for the rest of this season and was hoping to win a contract for next term. "I just hope that in the last two games I impressed enough for them to let me join next season, but it's up to them," he said.

"I was really enjoying myself at York. They're a good bunch of guys and I liked it. I was very impressed with the support as well. Even in the bar afterwards it was great and during the match it was very vocal and I like that. At one stage the boys were huffing and puffing a bit but when the supporters shouted from the side I knew I had to pull my socks up and give it my all."

He added: "I will be going down on Friday to watch the guys play."

Okul joins eight other first-team stars on the long-term injury list, which also now includes back-rower Kevin Spink, who needs an operation on a non-rugby related back injury

In addition, joint-top try-scorer Mark Cain is to return to the specialist on Friday to have a full check-up on his troublesome knee. The 27-year-old is hoping exploratory surgery will find no long-lasting ligament damage, which would mean he could be fit to play within two weeks of the operation.

"It's another massive blow for us," said chief executive Steve Ferres of Okul's injury.

"It's backs against the wall time. It's been one blow after another, but those are the cards we've been dealt. Another player will come in for him and he will have to give as much as John did on Sunday."

Ferres added: "As long as John gets right, that's the main thing. We're disappointed for him more than ourselves. But he showed his ability in his second game and that he's got something to offer going forward and we will miss his impact."

In better news for the Knights, stalwart Mick Ramsden should be back in contention on Friday having been unavailable these last two weeks. He could well be a direct second-row replacement for Okul.

A victory that night would mean York entertain either Hunslet or Barrow in the first play-off round, depending on Barrow's result at Swinton. A defeat would give the Knights an away game at either Hunslet or, more probably, former leaders Keighley Cougars.

Updated: 11:29 Wednesday, September 03, 2003