Knights' Green loses visa appeal

March worked with Green over the close season in training

York City Knights Australian forward, Garry Green has had his visa appeal rejected by the Rugby Football League.

The 28-year-old was told he could not play in this country any more without a work permit after a change in UK Border Agency rules.

Despite playing for Batley last year and living in this country his appeal for special dispensation failed.

"We're all saddened he's not going to be joining us," Knights coach Paul March told BBC Radio York.

"He's going to be down at the game on Sunday cheering the lads on.

"Obviously everybody will make him feel welcome and say their goodbyes because basically the RFL aren't going to allow him to play rugby league in this country."

I'm going to field a very strong side and hopefully that strong side can pick points up

Knights coach Paul March

The Knights play London Skolars on Sunday (kick off 1400 GMT) in their final group game in the Northern Rail Cup. Just one point will be enough to take them through to the quarter-final stage.

After defeat last week at Batley, March said he is putting out a strong team to try to avoid a surprise result.

"If the result had gone different at Batley there'd have been a lot of changes, but we need the three points this week.

"We don't want to leave anything to chance and I'm going to field a very strong side and hopefully that strong side can pick points up."