CHRIS Levy and Mick Ramsden are almost certain to miss York City Knights' home friendly against Doncaster tomorrow (3pm).
Coach Mick Cook will again give all his fit and available players a run-out, just as he did against Leeds a fortnight ago, but scrum-half Levy will not be risked after his minor calf tear while veteran second-row Mick Ramsden is likely to miss out with flu.
They will therefore join long-term injury victims Scott Rhodes, Chris Spurr and Ian Kirke - who is progressing well from his broken hand and could be okay to make his debut in the friendly against Hull on January 26 - on the sidelines.
Cook said: "We don't need to risk Chris Levy so he won't play. This flu bug could have an affect on one or two during the game but we will look after them."
Mark Cain and Jon Liddell have returned to training after they were hit by the virus and, although they were "coughing and spluttering" they are likely to be okay tomorrow.
The clubs are likely to agree the use of unlimited substitutions, with Doncaster especially looking to give run-outs to many players.
Coach St John Ellis is likely to bring a big squad, including the posse of former Knights, with one of them, Dean Andrews, set for his debut.
Chris Langley and Craig Farrell, who still study in York, are likely to start in the centre against their previous club, while Lee Harland, the former Super League player with Castleford, is set to begin in the second row.
Former Widnes skipper Andy Hay and young prop Stuart Crooks, the son of former York Wasps boss Lee Crooks, are two more of the Dragons' eight new signings who are likely to get a run-out.
Usual match-day admission prices for 2005 will apply for the match.
Knights trialist Stuart Kain has returned to Castleford Tigers' Academy.
The youngster had been training at Huntington Stadium and played as a substitute in the friendly against Leeds two weeks ago.
However, coach Mick Cook said his chances at the Knights would be limited with fellow backs currently ahead of him in the pecking order.
"He trains well and is a good player," he said. "He will be an option to look at in the future. We will have options at Leeds also if we're struggling for positions when we'd look to develop the partnership (with the Rhinos) further."
Kain is the son of Knights development coach John Kain and first came to pre-season at Huntington Stadium with his brother, Andy, who has since also returned to Castleford.
Knights: from Blaymire, Buchanan, Fox, Ross, Potter, Callaghan, P Thorman, N Thorman, Elston, Jackson, Sozi, Forsyth, Sullivan, Bates, Cain, Smith, Paterson, McDowell Liddell.
Doncaster: from Horne, Colton, Langley, Farrell, Miles, Holroyd, Western, Handford, P Green, Ostler, Lawton, Hay, Cardoza, W Green, Netherton, O'Loughlin, Harland, Moana, Beck, Piper, Andrews, Leaf, Crooks.
Updated: 12:07 Saturday, January 15, 2005
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article