York City Knights injury crisis has worsened with the news winger Alex Godfrey may need a hernia operation.

Centre Graeme Hallas is also ruled out for "several weeks" after doctors confirmed he suffered medial ligament damage in last week's match at Hull KR.

However, in better news, loose-forward Mark Cain has not ruled out playing next week despite being stretchered off during Sunday's victory over Sheffield with what looked like a severe knee injury.

The Knights' injury list also comprises Hallas' fellow former Great Britain tourist Lee Jackson, who has a back problem, and Aussie stand-off Jonny Firth, who is out indefinitely after surgery on a torn bicep, as well as long-term absentees Carl Stannard and Matt Blaymire. Darren Robinson has also been playing through an ankle injury.

The news surrounding Godfrey will come as a blow to player-coach Paul Broadbent as the winger looks set to miss the start of the National League campaign.

"If we operate, I could be out for two months, while if we decide to rest it and then play over it, it could be one month," said Godfrey, who was to see a specialist this week.

"I had a painkilling injection on Thursday to see if I could play against Sheffield but the hernia proved too much. There's a slight possibility I could play over it but there was no point when we had two fit wingers and it would probably have made it worse.

"It's a blow for me personally. The guys played well on Sunday but I think I could get back in the side and do well. It's always disappointing when you miss out."

Hallas, who will concentrate for the time being on his dual role as assistant-coach, is also to see a specialist once swelling around the knee subsides. How long he will be out for is not known.

Cain, on the other, was hopeful he would return next week to face former club Dewsbury.

The 26-year-old, who has scored five tries in five games, left the fray on Sunday after 38 minutes. "I got hit on both sides of the left knee and I thought I had broken it at first," he said.

"But the doctor has said it is stable and it looks like I've just jarred it. We will see how it goes this week. Hopefully, if I get treatment on it every day this week I will be okay."

Doncaster back Chris Ross was hit by a two-match suspension by the Rugby Football League following his sending-off in the Dragons' defeat at York last month. Ross had been red-carded for punching Mark Cain.

Former York Wasps player Mick Crane has been dismissed by Hull Kingston Rovers for boozing.

Crane and fellow Academy coach Des Harrison were given their marching orders after being seen drinking shortly before Rovers' home match with York City Knights last week. Chief executive Nick Halafihi said the club did not want a drink culture.

Updated: 11:51 Tuesday, April 01, 2003