YORK City Knights' charge towards the LHF National League Two title will have to overcome the loss of star prop Adam Sullivan.

The three-time Player of the Month injured his left knee in Sunday's win over London Skolars and, while an X-ray has shown no break, early fears are he has suffered ligament damage.

He is definitely out of Sunday's trip to Hunslet and could well join fellow prop David Bates on the sidelines for the remainder of the regular season.

Coach Mick Cook said: "He's played every game in the league this year and this is a bit of a downer for him. He can't train and has to rest, and won't enjoy it.

"We're not sure how bad it is as there is still a bit of swelling but, with only three games left, he is doubtful for the rest of the campaign. He might recover quite quickly but we'll have to see."

Sullivan has missed only one match all season - ironically the away Northern Rail Cup match at Hunslet in March, for which he was rested - and was voted Player of the Month by Evening Press readers that month as well as in April and May. He is also well ahead in the Evening Press/Collier Plant Hire Player of the year standings.

The loss is therefore a blow to the Knights as they seek the two points from three matches they need to secure top spot, but Cook reckoned they had enough in the squad to handle it.

"That's a couple of front-rowers gone for now but we're able to cover it," he explained. "We've got big Joe Helme, who is back now, Craig Forsyth, who's been doing well, and, of course, Yusuf Sozi. We've also got a few who can move up to the front row like James Ward, Ian Kirke and John Smith, who played there a lot earlier in the season."

Second-row Kirke, who missed the Skolars win with a knee problem and a virus, has trained this week without trouble and is in the running for a recall.

Cook added: "We're more than okay to get through with those guys. We've still got a few options."

The transfer deadline for any new signings this season is this Friday but, while the Evening Press believes the Knights have kept their eye on potential late recruits to boost the squad, Cook intimated little. "We're doing okay at the moment," he said.

Updated: 11:43 Thursday, August 18, 2005