WHARFEDALE will be without influential back-rowers Josh Burridge and Rob Baldwin for several weeks.

Burridge injured a knee late in the second half of their 63-27 defeat at second-placed Sale last Saturday, while a yellow card for Baldwin at Heywood Road has led to a two-match suspension.

Wharfedale head coach James Doherty said: "Josh is waiting to be assessed but it didn't look good, while that was Rob's third yellow.

"He got the card for a neck roll, which I thought was harsh, but his previous record was taken into account when it came to the hearing."

Burridge, who is set to have a scan early next week, caught his studs in the turf before suffering an impact on a knee and, with only five league matches left, there is a fear that his season could be over.

The only saving grace is that those matches are spread over seven weeks, with Wharfedale having a free date this weekend.

They should have been at Hull in a Yorkshire Cup quarter-final on Saturday but the East Yorkshire club, who are third in National League Three North, have a rearranged league match at Morley which takes priority.

While some are praising Wharfedale for picking up a four-try bonus point at Sale, Doherty was more critical of their overall display.

"People have talked about our never-say-die attitude but there was an honest conversation afterwards about our performance and it was not what we are about," he said.

"We were too stand-offish in defence and allowed them to get on the front foot. Their back line was very sharp and their No 8 was very good but our defence was poor.

"You cannot have everybody playing at 80 per cent and expect to get something at Caldy or Sale, who are a level above everyone else in the division. You have to have one to 20 playing at 90 per cent to get anything there."

Doherty added: "The Hull match will probably be played in midweek at the end of the month.

"We will not be taking our league side over there, apart from one or two who need match fitness. We will be giving other lads who deserve an opportunity a chance."