POINTS-MACHINE Lee Waterman could be back in action for York City Knights’ big game with promotion rivals Oldham on Sunday – but not without a telling-off from head coach Dave Woods.

The goal-kicking centre has been out of action for a month after chipping a bone in his foot in the win over Doncaster and having his leg put in plaster.

But his recovery has not been aided by what Woods has deemed an unprofessional approach, albeit due to an eagerness to return.

Waterman took the pot off himself, against the advice of medical staff, and the following week did some kicking practice with old mates at his amateur club Skirlaugh, again endangering his recovery.

Woods, who reckoned the centre could have played in Sunday’s win at Swinton but for setbacks in his recovery, said: “I spoke to him at length about the fact he’s in the professional game now. He’s not an amateur any more. He has to be guided by what the physios and doctors say.

“He could have played at the weekend but it put him back another week or two. He realises it was the wrong thing to do. He’s a young kid wanting to get back playing, but he’s got to look at the big picture.”

Waterman, who has bagged 22 tries and 88 goals in 22 games this year, got the all-clear from the doctor on Tuesday and trained fully that night.

Woods is yet to decide whether to give him another week off or throw him in against Oldham, the arrival of Harlequins loanee Ryan Esders having given him another notable option.

Esders scored a hat-trick off the bench, at centre, on his debut at Swinton.

Woods’ hands may be tied a little when it comes to the three-quarters, though, after winger Tom Lineham took a bang on the knee at Swinton. He played the full game, scoring two tries, but did not train on Tuesday.

Woods added: “They (the doctors) said for Lee to take it easy and not rush it.

“If he’s not at 100 per cent it’s no good him coming back. We need him for the semi-finals (play-offs).

“We’ll see how he goes in training (tonight). We’ve got a few options.”

Captain Jordan Ross’ disciplinary hearing with the Rugby Football League following his sending-off at Swinton will be heard next Tuesday, meaning he will be free to play against Oldham.

If he receives a ban, it would rule him out of the away match at South Wales Scorpions the following week, the Knights’ last game of the regular season.

In this case, Waterman’s return could be well-timed, allowing Esders to replace Ross in the second row.