York Knights captain Liam Harris sidelined for minimum of eight weeks

The half-back was one of three injury casualties of the Knights’ 27-0 rout of fellow play-off hopefuls Doncaster a fortnight ago, taken off at half-time as a precaution after pulling his hamstring as he went to kick.

Applegarth had labelled his side’s spine as one of the best in the division in the week leading up to that match, but saw it blown apart, with Ata Hingano suffering a suspected eye socket fracture after a collision with Jimmy Keinhorst, and full-back Will Dagger also injuring his hamstring.

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Sam Cook and youngster Jack Potter lined up at half-back for the Knights at Bradford Bulls on Sunday – their ninth starting combination so far in the position.

Hingano is likely to return against Swinton this weekend to partner Cook, who impressed in the halves at Odsal, with Nikau Williams again set to start at full-back.

But despite the gutting news regarding his captain, Applegarth insists he will not use it as an excuse and is relishing the other members of his squad showing just what they can do.

Speaking to BBC Radio York, the Knights boss confirmed: “Liam is going to be another eight weeks, minimum.

“Dags, we’re hoping possibly four, depending on how he’s responding better than we anticipated.

“There’s a bit of adversity there, but that is what you have a squad for – I definitely don’t want to use it as an excuse. It’s exciting that you can see how other people step into roles.

“I thought the lads that stepped into those roles will have taken a lot from that against Bradford, and it’s an exciting time for them to showcase what they can do.”

Sam Cook produced a Man of the Match performance in the halves at Bradford last weekend. (Image: Craig Hawkhead Photography)

He admits that whilst Harris’ loss is a notable one, he has still remained firmly among the squad, including coaching Potter through his goal kicks in Bradford.

And the head coach has full confidence that whoever steps in during his absence will stand up well to the challenge – for you “just have to roll with the blows” in the sport.

“Losing your captain is a big loss, not just for what he does on the field, but how he composes the group, how he speaks to the group,” he explained.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for Liam and how he goes about his business. It’s important that he stays around the lads and still offers his leadership side of it, but we’ve got to make sure that we adapt and overcome that adversity.

“There’s no point hiding away from the fact [that he could be out for the remainder of the season] but there’s still enough quality there too.

“You look at Sam Cook coming in, you’ve got Ata Hingano, Nikau, young Potts has come in and he’ll be a lot better for that game against Bradford.

“There’s combos we can go there, and it’s just a case of hopefully keeping everyone fit and we can get some reps out on that training field. But I’ve got full faith that whoever we do name there will go out and execute the game plan in whatever week it is.

“We lost all three with Dags, Liam and Ata – I don’t think I’ve seen that happen before!

“But it’s just rugby isn’t it, you’ve just got to roll with the blows. That’s part of the fun of coaching, it’d be boring if it was all simple all the time wouldn’t it."