YORK City Knights player-coach Paul Broadbent could play against Swinton Lions on Sunday despite having to be helped off the pitch during his side's excellent 27-20 win over Barrow Border Raiders.

Broadbent missed the final five minutes of the historic first-ever National Two win after twisting his knee and straining the ligaments, and he was on crutches in the changing rooms after.

However, despite not being able to put any weight on the damaged knee after the game, the tough-as-teak prop believes the injury is not as bad as first feared.

"I twisted my knee and strained the ligaments," said Broadbent. "But it feels better now and has settled down. I don't think it is as dramatic as it could have been.

"I couldn't get any weight on to it when it happened. I kept trying to get up but it kept giving way. However, I am able to walk about now, although it does hurt when I try to bend or twist.

"I will have to see how things go over the week, but I certainly haven't ruled out the weekend."

Seeing his side finally notch up a league win was the ideal tonic for Broadbent and he was full of praise for his troops.

"The guys have worked really hard for that win over the past fortnight," he added. "They got what they deserved out of what was a professional performance.

"It gives a different feel to the club, people are a lot happier as the pressure to get that first win is off.

"Now we have to work on the consistency of getting win after win."

One of the stars of the Barrow victory was man-of-the-match Scott Fletcher, whose marauding runs had the Barrow defence rattled throughout.

He told the Evening Press: "I think the win has been long time coming and it makes it all the more better to get it having had to come all the way up to Cumbria.

"We are a good bunch of lads, we all got stuck in and ground out the result. I was quite pleased with my own performance and to score, but it is a team game and I wouldn't be able to get into those positions if it wasn't for the other players around.

"Hopefully this will be the launching board for us to go on and get more wins, we had some shocking results against Gateshead and London which was not fair on the fans who turn out. to show their support. But to repay the fans we came up with the win and we are appreciate that have come all this way to support us."

Updated: 10:52 Tuesday, May 27, 2003