Will Dagger out of York Knights' trip to Whitehaven with calf injury

The full-back, who has endured a stop-start season at the LNER Community Stadium, had made his return from a hamstring strain in Toulouse a fortnight ago, but missed last weekend’s dominant victory against Batley after pulling up during a jog.

It had been hoped that Dagger’s injury would not be serious ahead of a crucial final five matches of the Betfred Championship season, but boss Mark Applegarth confirmed: “He definitely won’t be involved on the weekend.

“He pulled a calf on Friday. He got through the game [in Toulouse] okay and had a good session on Thursday, but literally jogging on Friday, his calf’s gone.

“He’s got a scan today I believe, and we’re hoping that it’s nothing too serious, but hopefully I’ll have some more information come the end of the week.”

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Joe Brown was given the nod to start at full-back against the Bulldogs, producing a standout performance as he reprised the role in which he featured for the majority of 2023.

Applegarth heaped praise on the 25-year-old, crediting his team for their positive attitude and ‘next-man mentality’.

“I thought Joe Brown slotted in effortlessly [against Batley],” the head coach admitted. 

“When I first watched Browny play, he was at Wigan as a full-back, so I don’t think that there’s any issues there.

“It’s just obviously a big blow for us losing a player of Will Dagger’s capabilities, but I thought the team that showed up on Sunday were outstanding and it just shows you the character of this group. Not one of them moaned on the Friday when we put in the changes or seemed rattled by it, they just got on with the next job.

“The more that we promote that next-man up mentality and the team ethos, then the better for York Knights.

“It’s exactly what you want. It’s just making sure that everyone understands that, which we are doing at the moment.

“There’s going to be a few more twists and turns and bumps and bruises, not just for us but for all the teams competing and vying for the play-offs. You’ve just got to roll week by week and take your medicine when it comes to you and keep on putting your best foot forward.” 

Jordan Thompson celebrated his 350th career appearance against Batley last weekend, but is suspended for the Knights' next two fixtures at Whitehaven and Widnes. (Image: Craig Hawkhead Photography)

Last weekend’s joy against Batley brought no new injury concerns for the Knights, but industrious forward Jordan Thompson will undoubtedly be missed as he serves the first of a two-match suspension following his sin-bin in the south of France.

The 32-year-old scooped the club’s Players’ Player of the Season last year and is among the favourites to do so again this time out thanks to his 80-minute workhouse performances at prop and loose forward.

Applegarth though hopes that Thompson’s absence will prompt the club’s other forwards to show just what they can bring to the table.

“There’s no [new injury concerns after Batley],” he continued.

“There’s obviously Jordy Thompson and his two-match ban, so that will be a good chance for some other middles to step up and show that they can share that workload that comes with what Jordy does. To do 80 minutes in the middle how he does is unbelievable.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how a few of the other middles respond without him.”

Following Sunday’s trip to Cumbria, the Knights will take on four of the Championship’s current top six, including League Leaders’ Shield winners Wakefield, in a tricky final month of the season.

Whilst captain Liam Harris is unlikely to feature again in 2024, Jesse Dee and Levi Edwards are closing in on returns from their respective bicep and ACL injuries.

“Ata Hingano has been unbelievable, along with Nikau, at six and seven, I think they’re forming a really solid partnership, which kind of softens that blow of Liam not being there.

“But in saying that, Liam and Sam Cook, they’re fighting hard to get back, we’ve got Jesse Dee that’s not that far away now, Myles Harrison is getting on with his rehab, Levi Edwards has had surgery, so he’s three or four weeks away from being fit.

“There’s a few blokes coming, but there are also a few troops that are chomping hard to get back."