ATA HINGANO is set to miss the rest of the 2022 season for York City Knights amid the ankle injury he suffered in Saturday’s 24-18 win at Newcastle Thunder.

Hingano fell awkwardly on his ankle after just five minutes at Kingston Park and played no further part for York.

The Tonga international looks set to not feature again this year for the Knights, in another huge injury blow ahead of the Betfred Championship play-offs, which begin in less than two weeks.

James Ford’s side are already without props Masi Matongo and Pauli Pauli as well as winger Will Oakes for the season.

On Hingano, head coach Ford explained: “It was an ankle injury.

“He’s been tackled and in the wrestle he’s gone over and his ankle has gone underneath and there’s been some force applied over the top of it.

“It was purely accidental and these things happen in contact sports.

“It’s a blow but what we need to do now is get him fit and healthy for next year.

“I’d be surprised (if he plays again in 2022).”

Having lost first-choice front-rowers Matongo and Pauli, Hingano appeared central to York’s plans, having been utilised as a ball-playing loose forward in the club’s last two matches.

Ford added: “We’ll have to have another re-think. But that’s coaching. There’s not a lot of stuff that does go to plan.

“We always have in-depth plans and sometimes I wonder why we bother because you always end up having to come up with something on the spin.

“I suppose experience helps with dealing with that.”