CROCKED York City Knights flier Chris Smith was today lining up a meeting with the specialist to confirm details of his latest knee injury.

Smith was optimistic of returning to action within a fortnight, dispelling fears he had suffered yet more severe ligament damage. However, a full diagnosis of his new injury has yet been confirmed.

The 28-year-old scored after 88 seconds of Sunday's victorious Challenge Cup tie at Sheffield but in doing so suffered the blow and played no further part in the game.

The former Super League winner has only just returned from an eight-month injury lay-off, having suffered ligament damage when scoring a try against Workington back in June. That injury led to his second knee reconstruction in two years, but this time he was confident the damage is less serious.

"I think the cartilage just needs trimming," was his self-diagnosis.

"I won't know for sure until I see the specialist - but I've become a bit of an expert when it comes to knees."

Smith had his right knee reconstructed two years ago and his left knee likewise last season. This injury concerns the right knee again.

"I'm pretty sure it's not that kind of injury again - you can tell when it's that. I've had this kind of cartilage thing before with my left knee and this feels the same.

"Obviously I need to see the specialist but that's what it feels like and, if so, I hope to have the operation and be back maybe for the week after next."

Meanwhile, York's National League Two rivals, Barrow Raiders, were hopeful of fielding Knights centre Damien Reid on Sunday in their game against his former club, Gateshead.

It was reported in the rugby press that the Raiders had signed the teenage try-scorer, but Knights chief executive Steve Ferres today said the club had not sanctioned any deal.

The Evening Press - which revealed last week that Barrow and Gateshead were interested in signing the want-away centre - believes the Knights may look for a fee for the 19-year-old, although nothing was confirmed.

Ferres said: "We have not transferred Damien Reid to Barrow. We've had no contact with Barrow for over a week. I imagine they will be in touch with us and we will discuss the situation when they contact us."

Reid had become unhappy with his first team chances at Huntington Stadium.

Updated: 10:50 Tuesday, March 02, 2004