York City Knights director of rugby James Ratcliffe and player-coach Paul March have been stood down from first-team duties for the game at Blackpool.

A statement issued by the Championship One club claimed the suspension followed a breach of club discipline at a function last week.

David March, Paul Hughes and Rob Kelly will also miss the trip to Blackpool as a result of the incident.

Full-back Danny Ratcliffe has been suspended until the end of July.

Reserve-team coach Mick Ramsden will be in charge of the first team for the weekend's match.

All five players have been named in the reserves squad to face Dewsbury at the Huntington Stadium on Thursday evening.

Having had a fantastic victory on Thursday evening we all possibly over indulged during our weekend away from rugby York City Knights director of rugby James Ratcliffe

James Ratcliffe has apologised for the incident in a separate statement released by the club.

He said: "Having been suspended from first-team duties following a complaint regarding a club function last week which a number of senior players and myself attended, I, on behalf of us all, would like to issue a unreserved apology to Leeds RLFC and its guests, York City Knights and all its supporters, and to anyone whom we may have caused offence to.

"Having had a fantastic victory on Thursday evening, we all possibly over indulged during our weekend away from rugby.

"This was a lack of concentration and in no way do we condone our behaviour. The club have taken what they feel is the appropriate action and no further comment will be made."

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