YORK City Knights' injury crisis has deepened with Jonny Liddell the latest to need treatment.

The hooker, who offers great utility value to coach Mick Cook, suffered a dead leg in last week's loss at Batley, the injury worsening during the week.

His is doubtful for Sunday's visit of big-guns Widnes Vikings, leaving Cook with the bare bones of a squad again, though that could be boosted by the return of broken thumb victim Dan Potter to face his former team.

The injury crisis means Academy boss Paul Higgins will again field a young team in tonight's Under-21s match at home to the Vikings as they look to bounce back from defeat to an experienced Batley team last week.

The Knights Academy's first-ever game was at Widnes, where they lost 46-16 having trailed 42-10 at half-time, and Higgins reckons tonight's match will show how they have progressed in the two months since.

"Widnes are a young side but they're good and they've been together a few years," he added.

The Vikings U21s lost for the first time this year at Dewsbury last week, but were without some players who had been promoted to the first team squad for the Challenge Cup match against Catalans.

Kick off at Huntington Stadium is 7.30pm.