Keighley have been dealt a cruel blow with news that influential flanker Scott Dyson is set to miss the rest of the season with a broken ankle.

The 26-year-old suffered the break in last Saturday’s defeat at Selby, which was only his second first-team game back following over three months on the sidelines due to a serious head injury – ironically which he sustained against the same side.

Director of rugby Graeme Sheffield said the player had broken his left ankle in two places and had also suffered ligament damage.

“He’s bearing up okay,” said Sheffield, whose side are desperate for a win at home to Old Brodleians on Saturday to boost their hopes of survival in Yorkshire One. “He’ll have a pot on for six to eight weeks and then we’ll see what happens.

“It is really tough on Scott but he will have time to reflect on this season. I know he is absolutely mad keen on rugby.”

There is better news regarding centre Adam Horsfall, who also came off with a back injury against Selby but is deemed fit to face Old Brods.

He is joined in midfield by the returning Alan Ebbrell, key player Danny McGee is available again at full back and Oliver Sugden is drafted in at prop.

Looking ahead to Saturday, Sheffield said: “We ran Old Brods close earlier in the season and played fairly well.

“This time we’ll be enjoying home advantage. We need to put some wins together now without doubt.”

Old Grovians were promoted with runners-up Harrogate Pythons last year from SSE Yorkshire Division Four, and they meet again on Saturday at Elm Tree Farm.

Grovians were champions by 13 points in 2012-13, and there is already a seven-point advantage for the Apperley Bridge team this season, with the Woodhouse Grove old boys ninth and Pythons 12th, seven points above safety.

Keighley (home to Old Brodleians): D McGee; A Horsfall, A Ebbrell, M Ferrazzano, S Walker; A Brown, I Woodwiss; C Spencer, C Dyson, O Sugden, D Iliff, J Walker, S Minikin, L Sugden, D Pullen. Replacements: M Symes, L Carter, J Hannah.