York City Knights flier Alex Godfrey is "gutted" that his ongoing hamstring injury means he is likely to lose his hoodoo sign over old foes Featherstone Rovers.
The 25-year-old winger has proved to be Rovers' bogey man this season, having scored memorable match-winning tries for the Knights in the first Arriva Trains Cup group game between the sides and in the Challenge Cup fifth round tie last month.
He was on the scoresheet again when the Knights completed a hat-trick against Gary Price's men with the second ATC group game victory over them on Good Friday - a fiery match which saw Price and Godfrey (pictured far right) have a set-to after the final hooter.
However, the injury that the winger suffered on Bank Holiday Monday in the game against Chorley, which kept him out of the defeat to Hunslet last week, is still troubling him, meaning he is doubtful to play in Sunday's ATC quarter-final play-off, which is again against Rovers.
"I've got a lot more movement than last week but it's still too twitchy to risk at the moment," Godfrey told the Evening Press.
"We'll know more after training tonight and tomorrow and if I feel I can play a full game without damaging myself I will do it. But while we've got 100 per cent fit players it might not be wise to risk myself as it's a long season ahead."
As for arch-rivals Rovers, he said: "The team have had a good run against them and I have especially - I think I've scored four tries in the three games - and I'd be gutted if I do miss out.
"A lot has gone on off the pitch and I don't feel they have shown us the respect as a team that we deserve. It's meant a lot for the lads to beat them and I would like to play to do my bit to prove to their players and coach that we are a professional outfit."
Featherstone will be without dangerman Richard Newlove and fiery forward Jim Carlton on Sunday after both were hit with one-match suspensions following their red cards in the Good Friday clash against the Knights at Post Office Road.
Newlove was found guilty of a reckless high tackle on Mark Stewart by the Rugby Football League's disciplinary committee, while Carlton was found guilty of striking Mark Cain off the ball. Both Rovers players were also fined £100.
Meanwhile, the Knights' final LHF Healthplan National League Two home fixture of the season, against Workington Town, originally scheduled for Sunday, September 5, has now been rearranged for the preceding Saturday, September 4, with a 3pm kick-off.
The match has been rearranged to avoid a clash with the Evening Press-sponsored Sunday Raceday at York Racecourse, which will also take place that day.
The Knights had considered playing the game on the Friday night so as not to clash with a potential York City match on the Saturday, but it was not possible for Workington to travel over from Cumbria on a weekday, the bulk of the players having day jobs.
York City Knights' Supporters' Club will stage a Quiz Knight tomorrow in the Huntington Stadium bar. Entry to the general knowledge quiz is £1 per person with a maximum of four per team. Top prizes will be on offer. Get there 7.30pm for an 8pm start.
Updated: 10:58 Thursday, April 22, 2004
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