York Wasps have suffered their first major injury blow of 1999 with forward Paul Darley likely to miss the first month of the season.

Darley suffered a depressed fracture of the cheekbone in Sunday's stirring 20-20 draw at Hull Sharks.

He is to undergo surgery tomorrow when two metal plates will be inserted into the broken bone and is expected to be out of action for between four and six weeks, said coach Dean Robinson.

The Wasps' leader, however, will not rush into the transfer market to secure a direct replacement with the club just 11 days away from opening their campaign with the Challenge Cup clash at home to amateurs Egremont.

Robinson insisted he had adequate cover for the loose forward shirt in new additions Darren Callaghan and Peter Edwards.

"Fortunately it's an area where we have some strength in depth, but it does highlight that we only have a 21-man squad and we need to bring in three or four more players," he said.

One avenue the Wasps will no longer head down is France.

Originally the club had targeted Esteve duo Frankie Coffin and Laurent Carasco. But now the Wasps have ended that interest because of barriers put up by the French Rugby League authorities to prevent an exodus of players across the Channel.

Explained chief executive Jim Race: "They are making it more difficult for players to come over.

"Regrettably we have had to withdraw out interest in these two players because of complications that were caused when in contact with the French authorities."

Better news for the Wasps is that the delay over the renewal of a work permit for Western Samoan star Fata Sini is close to being resolved. The winger is expected to be back in York within the next week to ten days, added Race.

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