Centre concerns have handed York Wasps coach Dean Robinson an unwanted selection headache on the eve of his side's trip to Grand Final winners Hunslet Hawks tomorrow.
With Australian import Andrew Lambert having suddenly returned home in midweek, Robinson has been hit with more woe in the three-quarters with the news that Garry Atkins is a major doubt for Sunday.
Atkins is suffering from a nerve problem in his right arm which makes his forearm go dead on impact.
X-rays have failed to reveal a break but the problem was giving Wasps cause for concern, conceded Robinson.
"After the game last Sunday I thought I was going to have a good selection problem in our three-quarters for the first time this season," he admitted.
"But with Andrew Lambert having to return home (to be with his sick mother) and a doubt regarding Garry Atkins' fitness my options have diminished once more.
"But while it may mean I have to shuffle things around I have got available 19 players fit and well and although perhaps we are short in one or two areas I am certain whatever 17 I take they will be more than capable of doing a job."
With Lambert out, newcomer Rob Lee still recovering from broken ribs and Atkins a major worry, Robinson has only Shaun Austerfield left as a recognised centre,
With utility back Carl Paterson showing flu symptoms, Robinson conceded one option could be to switch second rower Spencer Hargrave into the centre or test out former Hull FC ace John McCraken, who has shaken off the virus.
No such luck for skipper Paul Darley who is still suffering from the virus while prop Mick Hagan has also indicated he maybe about to fall victim having complained of a throat infection.
New signing Andy Hill, who has not played since the friendly against Hunslet, is still out while last Sunday's match winner Andy Precious is unavailable for the next six weeks because of work commitments.
Better news for Robinson is that Leroy McKenzie and Kevin Gray, who both missed the Sheffield game because of 'flu, are available while Lea Tichener could also be up for selection.
Robinson's side enjoyed a pre-season friendly win over the Grand Final winners in a rousing 28-26 win at Huntington Stadium before Christmas.
But despite two defeats in their opening two fixtures, Hawks coach David Plange believes it won't be long before his side are back in contention at the top of the Northern Ford Premiership.
Last Sunday's 30-21 defeat at the hands of Widnes Vikings was a marked improvement than their opening reverse to Keighley, said Plange.
Robinson is certainly not taking Hawks lightly.
"We are expecting a physical encounter and knowing David well he will not be happy with their start because he has got a great squad of players.
"We edged them out in the pre-season friendly but a number of personal on both sides will have changed since then.
"As a realist, that result won't matter a great deal but psychologically it will give us something to take into the game."
And last week's last gasp win over Sheffield had certainly given his troops a lift, added Robinson.
"We will travel with confidence having secured our first points of the season but Hunslet will be looking to get off the mark very quickly and as champions we know the quality in their camp."
Hawks' preparations for the current campaign were blighted by their long-winded but ultimately unsuccessful bid to join the ranks of Super League.
That dispute hit Plange's recruitment of players but he has since brought in a number of new faces and could yet have a new signing in his ranks for the visit of Wasps to South Leeds Stadium.
Former Halifax, Sheffield and Wakefield half-back Carl Briggs is expected to put pen to paper in time to make his debut tomorrow after a trial spell with Castleford Tigers.
The only other possible change to the side that lost to Widnes last week is utility player Chris North coming in for Mick Coyle.
Hunslet Hawks: Ross, Hallas, Hughes, Simpson, Fletcher, Windley, Walker, Pachniuk, King, Letham, Leighton, Irwin, North, Kennedy, Pryce, Thackrey, Briggs.
York Wasps: from Preston, Paterson, Austerfield, Atkins, Woodcock, Cain, Callaghan, Hayes, Dobson, Hill, Judge, Booth, Hargrave, Pallister, McKenzie, Gray, Tichener, Hagan, McCraken, Thomas
Kick-off: 3.30pm
Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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