YORK KNIGHTS are set to be without wingers David Nofoaluma and Ben Jones-Bishop for Saturday’s visit of St Helens.
Nofoaluma, who has scored twelve tries in 17 appearances on loan from partners Newcastle Thunder, failed a head-injury assessment in the closing stages of last week’s 24-22 loss to Huddersfield Giants.
He had opened the scoring against the Giants – grounding Paul McShane’s teasing chip – but displayed concussion symptoms amid the Knights’ late comeback.
“That last carry, I thought it was unusual for Dave not to be on the end of that pass of Fozzy’s (Matty Foster),” admitted head coach Mark Applegarth.
“I thought he was winded, but it turns out he didn’t have a clue what day of the week it is.
“Obviously he’s failed his HIA, so he’ll be stood down for St Helens.
“He passed his next head test, I think three days later you have to do another.
“But naturally, he’s got a 12-day protocol, so we’ll make a change there.”
Jesse Dee – York’s standout against Toulouse a week prior after returning from an eight-week concussion layoff – was hospitalised with an infection, but is now recovering at home with his partner.
“He got out of hospital at 6pm last night (Tuesday),” said Applegarth of the fan favourite.
“I think he’s had nine days in hospital there to get over an infection, so he still won’t be in contention.
“Before the Toulouse game, he had a bit of a cut on the front of his shin – I think it was through a clash of studs with someone.
“The cut looked pretty nasty but not too nasty, and he was taking some tablets, but when he got back from France, it took a bit of a turn for the worse. He started getting a fever – obviously a sign of infection.
“While he’s been in hospital, I think the doctors have hammered home how serious that infection was getting.
“The main thing is that he’s been treated. He’s been on a drip with antibiotics, but he’s now been released and they’re happy he’s in a stable position.
“Jesse being Jesse, he wants to play, but sometimes you’ve got to protect players from themselves, haven’t you?
“The right thing to do is to get him out (of hospital), back with his partner, and we’ll get him running once he’s got some fluids, some food into him, and he starts looking like a rugby player again.
“I’m just glad he’s out and we can start building him back up and the infection is under control.”
The head coach expects Jones-Bishop, who has been sidelined since March with a broken foot, to return in mid-August.
“He won’t make it for St Helens,” said Applegarth. “I think I’d be risking too much if we did throw him in.
“Bish would put his hand up, but I think realistically, it’ll be the week after (at Leigh Leopards).
“He’s not far off at all, but he’s not training with us yet, and he’s not due to train with us until the week after.”
Applegarth prefers to be cautious rather than rushing the 37-year-old back too quickly.
“With a player who’s been out that long, you just don’t want to risk him because he’s such a valuable player to us and a person to us, that I’ve also got to do the right thing by him.
“When I look at the bigger picture, would I want to play him? Of course I would.
“But I also don’t want to upset his injury and make sure he’s out, and then missing pre-season for example.”