YORK Valkyrie will appeal the one-match suspension handed to prop Liv Wood following last weekend’s 18-10 defeat to Wigan Warriors.

The forward has been handed a Grade C charge for late contact on a passer.

If her ban is upheld, Wood will miss Wednesday’s trip to Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup holders St Helens in a huge blow for Lindsay Anfield’s side.

The Valkyrie fell two points behind the Betfred Women’s Super League top three after losing their second match of the league season against the Warriors, despite winger Eboni Partington continuing her prolific form with tries either side of the interval.

And with a mounting injury crisis, losing the experienced Wood is something Anfield is hopeful of avoiding.

The director of rugby told The Press: “We’re down to about 16 fit players now, and Liv Wood unfortunately has got a ban this week which we’re appealing.

“But there’s a chance she might not be able to play against Saints.

“I don’t know if we’ll be successful or not, we can only try our best. 

“We think the grading is too high for the ban, and comparing it to the same thing that’s happened in other games, you would hope that we would have a chance to prove that.”

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Young forward Jess Sharp was also charged following their defeat to the Warriors, though her Grade B charge for the same offence carries with it only a £50 fine.

Anfield continued: “It’s a funny one, and it’s quite subjective in terms of the gradings.

“I’ve watched the video numerous times of Liv’s and there was nothing in it, no malice whatsoever. And I don’t think the outcome of it was particularly severe either.

“But we’ll try our best with that on Tuesday.”