New Hull KR captain Ben Galea is facing up to three months on the sidelines after damaging knee ligaments in his side’s friendly at Hull FC on Sunday.

Coach Craig Sandercock had hoped the Australian backrower, who has taken over the captaincy from Michael Vella, would miss only the Super League opener at Leeds on February 3, but scans have revealed the injury is more serious than he first thought.

It is a second huge blow for Rovers ahead of the new season, following the long-term loss of fellow Australian Blake Green with a blood clot in his calf.

The Robins will also start the new campaign without young front rower Richard Beaumont after he sustained a fractured fibula in the derby.

“Losing Benny and Rich is a blow,” said Sandercock. “Benny is looking at being out for between eight and 12 weeks which is disappointing for both himself and the team.

“But the one thing we know about Benny is that he’s the consummate professional and he’ll be doing everything he can, in tandem with the medical department, to get himself back on the paddock as soon as he can.

“As regards Rich, he has a fractured leg and the medical team are looking into the treatment options.”

Another Australian, halfback Michael Dobson, will lead the side in the absence of Galea, who was an ever-present last season.