YORK Valkyrie prop Grace Field has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2023 season after undergoing surgery on her shoulder.

The popular forward has not featured for the Valkyrie since their heartbreaking 17-16 defeat in the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Semi Finals on July 22, in which she also finished the match with strapping to her head and chin.

Utilised mainly as an interchange prop, Field has made eight appearances for Lindsay Anfield’s side this season as they look to secure an unprecedented second consecutive Betfred Women’s Super League Leaders’ Shield.

Anfield warns York Valkyrie can't be complacent in their bid for title at Wigan

That feat can be achieved with a win at Wigan Warriors on Sunday (12pm), but the Valkyrie will now be without Field for the trophy-crowning match, and the play-off series and potential Grand Final that will follow.

Tweeting from her hospital bed yesterday evening, she said: “Op done.

“Big up the NHS for making it such a seamless experience. Tea and toast never tasted so good.

“Looking forward to getting back on my feet and being ready for 2024.”

Anfield was however able to provide positive news on both influential full-back Tara Jane Stanley and half-back Liv Gale, who could both feature against Wigan on Sunday.

“Tara's been in Turkey for a week and she's just messaged me this morning and said she feels better than ever,” she explained. “So that’s been good.

“And Liv picked up a bit of a bumper at Warrington, so she would have probably struggled for Wembley anyway.

“We definitely wanted to play at Wembley, but it’s good for them just to get a rest before this weekend I think.”

York Knights winger glad to be back at club he 'felt like he hadn't left'

York have also welcomed back Kelsey Gentles to training following her pregnancy.

The winger, a regular rugby pundit for BBC Sport during her time away, revealed that she had given birth to her daughter earlier this summer with former Knights centre Jacob Ogden.

Joining from Castleford Tigers in 2021, Gentles was an integral part in the Valkyrie side that claimed the League Leaders’ Shield last year.