YORK City Knights player-coach Paul March could be out of action for up to 12 weeks, he has revealed.

The 28-year-old broke a bone in a hand in Sunday's final pre-season game, with early diagnosis suggesting a six-week lay-off, meaning he will miss all of the Northern Rail Cup group section.

He has now said his absence could be twice as long, though he still hopes to be back by mid-March and the start of the National League campaign.

The injury has seen the club look into the transfer market for possible loan deals, although March was happy at present to run with what he had in reserve.

The former Wakefield scrum-half, who was to undergo surgery today, said: "It could be six to 12 weeks. It's a massive blow not just for me but for the team. I was looking forward to starting the season on a high after the friendlies but unfortunately that's come to an end before the season's begun.

"On a positive note, I'm hopefully going to be back by the middle of March when the league season starts, and that will be a lift."

The scrum-half role for Sunday's Northern Rail Cup group two opener at home to Gateshead will now probably be given to former Dewsbury youngster Danny Ratcliffe, who impressed during pre-season.

His move from full-back will probably see Lee Mapals given the number one shirt, with 17-year-old former York Acorn ARLC junior David Leeke, who has joined the Knights from Leeds Rhinos' academy, starting on the wing.

March said the club had some money in reserve in case they needed to dip into the market.

"We've already looked into the possibility of a loan signing but that fell through," he said. "We'll keep an eye out but we will first see how the lads we've got go."

In better news, double Player of the Year Rob Spicer is close to full contact training and is expected to be available for selection in five weeks, in time for the NL2 campaign.

Also, winger Johnny Waldron has undergone minor surgery to correct a niggling knee problem. He could get a run-out for the Knights' academy side when they host a Great Britain Community Lions amateur squad in a friendly on Tuesday, February 12 (ko 8pm at Huntington Stadium).