SCOTT Rhodes could be back in action as early as next week if his recovery from a calf injury continues apace.

The York City Knights Players' Player of the Year suffered what is thought to be a calf tear in training earlier this week but has made good progress since then and has an outside chance of being fit for the trip to London Skolars a week tomorrow.

If he doesn't make that, the Knights have no game the following weekend as the National League endures another break in the fixture schedule, so the half-back star will have a further fortnight to recover in time for the potentially crucial set of matches which sees York face title contenders Workington, Keighley and leaders Swinton in consecutive weeks.

And boss Mick Cook said it was important he was not rushed back.

"He's made a big improvement but we're not sure when he'll be back, it depends on how it responds. Hopefully it might be okay for London," said Cook.

"But if he can't get ready for Skolars, we've got a good bunch of games coming up against Workington, Keighley and Swinton. We don't want a scenario where he thinks he's ready then breaks down again. We'll wait till it's 100 per cent right."

Veteran prop Craig Forsyth is raring to go having recovered from his own calf injury and, although he was left out of the 17 to face Blackpool today, he might be given a run-out against the Skolars next week, which would be his first game since March.

Updated: 10:32 Saturday, June 04, 2005