WHARFEDALE skipper Rob Baldwin fears he could be out of action until the end of the campaign.

The 31-year-old back-rower was injured towards the end of their 23-21 National League Two home defeat to Leicester Lions last Saturday.

"I am seeing a specialist today prior to having an operation later in the week but I have ruptured the distal bicep tendon in my right arm," said the former England Counties player.

"I did it tackling their winger Constant Devon. It probably wasn't my tackle but I swung my arm out and he just kept on going."

Baldwin added: "I might get back for the end of the season but I could also be out for the season."

The defeat leaves Wharfedale second from bottom with only two wins from nine matches.

Harrogate are the only club below them (Wharfedale have 11 points and Harrogate eight), and they meet on Saturday at Rudding Lane.

Baldwin said: "It is a must-win game in terms of local bragging rights and in terms of getting our season back on track.

"But they will be thinking of the match in exactly the same terms, so it should be fairly intense."

Baldwin, whose last lengthy absence was due to a fractured hand at Ealing in September 2015, said: "I will be back to my previous role as chief water carrier, but I will also be supporting the boys from the touchline and giving some input in the changing room where necessary."

In trying to explain how this season has gone awry, Baldwin said: "We have not taken this league lightly but if you'd said did we expect to be in this situation, then probably not.

"The problem started with the front-row issues, and we lost three matches out of four, but if we had won three out of four then our mindset would be different.

"Also we have a pretty young set of backs who want to attack from everywhere, and that can sometimes lead to us putting ourselves under pressure and giving away penalties and sometimes tries."

Baldwin’s absence sees George Hedgley move into the back row for the trip to Harrogate and Elliott Ward come in off the bench at second row.

With Dale’s Latvian trio on international duty, there are other changes for Saturday. Scott Jordan and Oliver Cicognini go into the backs to replace the Davidson brothers and James Huck starts at prop instead of Toms Asejevs.

Huw Morgan replaces the injured Andy Hodgson at centre and Jimmy Bullough gets the nod at scrum half with Ralph Wellock on the bench.

Wharfedale: Scott Jordan, Josh Prell, Harry Bullough, Huw Morgan, Oliver Cicognini, James Guy, Jimmy Bullough; Joe Altham, Dan Stockdale, James Huck, Alistair Allen, Elliott Ward, George Hedgley, Lewis Wilson, Josh Burridge. Reps: Jordon Poole, Ian Larkin, Richard Rhodes, Sam Gaudie, Ralph Wellock.