YORK Knights have been struck with a blow to add to their already worrying squad issues- as Jesse Dee has been handed a two-match suspension.

Dee has been given the ban following an altercation against Sheffield Eagles in last Friday’s 40-10 defeat.

The versatile second-rower has been punished for a Grade D use of elbow by ball carrier charge, meaning he will miss the Betfred Championship clash with top-of-the-table Featherstone Rovers on Sunday, June 25 (3pm) and the midweek trip to Whitehaven on Tuesday, June 28 (7.30pm).

The suspension is subject to appeal, which is why the ban won’t begin for Sunday.

Andrew Henderson revealed on Tuesday that Dee will be absent nevertheless for the Betfred Challenge Cup quarter-final match with Betfred Super League outfit Leigh Leopards, after suffering a dislocated finger against Sheffield.

Dee saw a specialist in midweek who confirmed the finger wouldn’t require surgery, but the club are awaiting to see if there is any ligament damage for the Knights star.

“Jesse Dee obviously dislocated his finger, so he’s had an x-ray on that and we need to have a scan to see if there is any ligament damage in there as well.” Henderson explained.

“Again, it’ll be one of those, we may be able to get him on the field this week, we may not be able to.

“We don’t think he needs surgery, he went and saw a specialist this morning, and the specialist opinion is that he won’t need surgery.

“They do need a scan to see the extent of the damage, but it’s unlikely he’ll need surgery which is a real positive.

“We might have him back in a few weeks. It’s not getting any easier, but you can’t plan for those, it’s a contact game and injuries happen.”