Young Leeds hooker Johnny Wainhouse has joined York City Knights on a month's loan to help bridge the injury gap, writes Claire Hughes.

The Rhinos under-21 regular has been drafted in as cover for Jim Elston, who is now expected to be out for up to five weeks with a knee injury.

Wainhouse had his first taste of first-team action during a brief loan spell at Gateshead a few seasons ago and, if fit, will go straight into the 17 for Sunday's trip to Dewsbury.

Coach Richard Agar said: "It's getting to that time of year when the weather is hot and certainly on Sunday, Lee Jackson felt very tired. We felt we didn't want to be flogging Lee for 80 minutes week in, week out, while Jim Elston is out.

"In training we've been running Daz Callaghan and Simon Friend as back-up dummy-halves but we thought it would be in Lee's best interest, while Jimmy is out, to get someone who is a specialist hooker.

"He is very hard working and is a good dummy-half around the rucks and from his point of view, he will get to work with Lee close up, which is a great chance for him.

"He's got a slight foot injury, but we are expecting him to be fit and if he is, he will be in the 17. We have not brought him in to sit on the bench."

Elston had surgery on his knee yesterday and the prognosis is good, despite more damage than expected being discovered, and he is expected back in four to five weeks.

Another new player who may boost the Knights' playing numbers is Jordan Precious. The 21-year-old is not yet signed to the Knights but is training at Hun-tington Stadium on a trial basis.

The full-back cum centre progressed through the Hull FC youth system before returning to his amateur club, East Hull.

"He's been coming training with us for a short while," said Agar. "He's come on a recommendation and we've invited him down to have a closer look at him.

"He's doing well but at this stage of the season it's difficult for us to find the right time to pitch him in. Hopefully, sooner or later we might get that chance."

Updated: 11:01 Wednesday, June 09, 2004