Ward, who had hoped to hit the ground running after being promoted to the number five shirt for 2025, pulled up in last month’s Amsterdam Challenge, as did prop Hudson.
Meanwhile, O’Neill is yet to make an appearance for the club after tweaking his hamstring during pre-season training.
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“Kieran’s going to be a couple of months; it’s the same with Jacques if I’m honest with you,” Applegarth confirmed following Sunday’s 72-12 demolition of Keighley Cougars.
“I think Wardy’s isn’t as bad, we’ll get the results back tomorrow. But with Brad, we’re hoping it’ll be weeks rather than months.
“Kieran’s got a grade three [tear], so that’ll be a good 10-12 weeks and the same with Jacques.
“They’ll be a good boost when they come back into it, but it’s just a case of you’ve got to go next man up, it’s as simple as that. It’s a good opportunity for others.
“We’ll make sure we look after the lads that are injured and make sure that they feel supported, but it’s a good opportunity for others to come and showcase what they can do.”
Levi Edwards made his first competitive appearance in almost two years, but after strapping up his knee, he limped off on the hour. (Image: Craig Hawkhead Photography) Levi Edwards made a welcome return to competitive action for the first time in almost two years after an ACL injury, playing 60 minutes before appearing to limp off the field.
He has been like a new signing for York after his long lay-off, and backed up his Amsterdam Challenge try with another against Keighley, but Applegarth admits that with the short turnaround to Friday’s Challenge Cup third round tie against Hull KR, his substitution was more a precaution than an injury concern.
“We don’t think it’s anything of concern,” he said. “I think it was just a bit of a heavy field for him in patches.
“With it being a short turnaround, we just thought we’d bring him off with one eye on next week shall we say.
“He was getting a bit of pain and discomfort, but I think it’s just more from backing up two games in seven days with the amount of travel that he’s had.
“We’re hoping it’s nothing serious and he should be available for Friday.”
Oli Field staked his claim for a shirt against Hull KR with two second-half tries, whilst Kieran Buchanan and young talent Harvey Reynolds also back-row options alongside the impressive Jesse Dee.
“It was selection more than anything,” said the Knights boss of leaving Bailey out.
“He played quite a lot of minutes last year, he played every game and didn’t miss a game. Near the back end of the year, he was complaining about a bit of tightness in certain areas of his body.
“I thought I’d give Fieldy the shot because he’d been chomping at the bit, and I thought he delivered today.
“It’s a good headache to have when you’ve got Jesse, Connor, Fieldy and young Harvey Reynolds all going for two shirts. I’ll have to have a good think about that over the next few days.”
