YORK City Knights are set to be without Chris Clarkson, Masi Matongo and Matty Marsh for Sunday's trip to Featherstone Rovers (3pm).

Marsh was stood down for two weeks under precautionary medical advice following the 24-16 defeat to Barrow Raiders earlier this month and is yet to receive the tests results of an injury that the club have chosen not to specify.

Forwards Clarkson and Matongo are set to join the full-back on the sidelines after being forced off during Monday night's 32-16 loss against Batley Bulldogs, the former due to a head injury assessment and the latter owing to a broken bone in his shoulder.

Head coach James Ford reported: “Matty Marsh will still be out, he doesn’t get his results until the day after (the Featherstone game).

"But we’re hopeful that Marshy will be back for the Newcastle game (on July 31), which would be a massive boost for us.

“We think that Masi's broken a bone in his shoulder. It’s a real blow to lose Masi because I think he’s been playing some of his better rugby as of late. He’ll certainly be out for a while.

“Clarky went off against Batley with a HIA, so I’m not sure that Clarky will be available for the Featherstone game."

Should Clarkson and Matongo miss out on the visiting party to the Millennium Stadium, then Joe Porter could return to the fold.

The 29-year-old has missed out on spots in the last three matchday squads and has not played since the 16-14 win at Widnes Vikings over a month ago, leaving supporters questioning his absence.

“Joe is absolutely still in our plans," insisted Ford, before explaining, "Joe has been away as his brother got married.

"The club were late to offer a contract so he quite rightly wanted to be at his brother’s wedding.

“That’s why he came out of the team. Joe’s always been close to being in the team. I love Joe’s effort and he always gives his all.”

There is better news on the injury front in regards to half-back Jamie Ellis and Ronan Michael, who both missed the Batley clash at the LNER Community Stadium.

"Jamie picked up an infection but we’re hopeful that he’ll be available for the Featherstone game," Ford said.

“Ronan was ruled out through concussion but he hasn’t had two within a 12-month period, so he could be available for Featherstone if he passes all his tests.”

York head to second-placed Featherstone, who trail Betfred Championship leaders Leigh Centurions by three points, on the back of three straight defeats to fellow play-off rivals Halifax Panthers (36-10), Batley (16-32) and Barrow Raiders (16-24).

The run is the fifth-placed Knights' worst of the season and, with eight regular season matches remaining, they will be aiming to solidify their top six spot with an upturn in fortunes sooner rather than later.

“There’s no easy weeks and we’re just not been good enough," said Ford on the current streak.

“We know that we’re capable because at times we’ve been pretty hot this year. We’ll stick together as a group.

“It’ll be a tough review for us this week but we’ll stick together and get some improvements in us, that’s for sure.”