Doncaster Knights fly half ruled out for three months

The shoulder injury Humberstone suffered in the pre-season campaign proved to be more serious than first thought and he went under the knife on Wednesday.

“It’s desperately disappointing for Simon because he worked so hard in pre-season, as did all the boys,” said director of rugby Clive Griffiths.

But with Declan Cusack, another of the summer signings, showing up well in Saturday’s impressive display in a 35-33 defeat against London Welsh, Griffiths will not panic.

“He’s an accomplished player,” said Griffiths.

“When he didn’t play for Plymouth last season they struggled.

“He was one of only two fly-halves who scored against us last season.

“We’ve got irons in the fire if we need to bring anyone in but we won’t be looking to do that at the moment.”

Griffiths and his coaching staff will be adding the finishing touches to the club’s preparations for Sunday’s Championship visit to Nottingham.

Whereas Knights impressed in defeat, not so Sunday’s opponents in their game at Cornish Pirates.

“It was a very dour game with a lot of kicking,” said Griffiths, who is confident Knights can avenge last season’s double defeat against Nottingham

Griffiths is unlikely to make more than the odd change for the trip down the M1 apart from Bevon Armitage, who guested for Newcastle last weekend, taking over from Mat Clark, who suffered a knock against Welsh, in the centre.

“Mat strained a knee ligament but it’s not going to be long term,” he said.