THREE York City Knights players have been suspended for the club's Betfred Championship season opener with Featherstone Rovers later this month.

The bans follow York's 32-10 pre-season friendly defeat to Castleford Tigers at the weekend, with two visiting players also hit with charges.

Liam Harris has been charged by the RFL's match review panel with a Grade D offence because of punching and will face a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday.

If found guilty, the half-back could miss between three and five matches.

York back-rower Pauli Pauli has been suspended for two matches for a Grade B dangerous contact.

Team-mate Jacob Ogden will serve a one-match ban over the same offence.

The news comes as a significant blow to head coach James Ford less than two weeks away from the clash with division promotion favourites Featherstone on Monday, January 31 (7.45pm).