Fozzard Injury Blow for Saints

This story was first reported by The Daily Express. We all wish Nick a speedy recovery

St Helens' worst fears were realised when prop forward Nick Fozzard was told he needs a knee reconstruction which will virtually wreck his season.

The 30-year-old was carried off just three minutes into Friday's Super League match at Bradford and scans on Monday confirmed that he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament. "He requires a reconstruction which means he will be out for five to six months, probably closer to six," said coach Daniel Anderson.

"It's disappointing but that's what happens in rugby league. You get major injuries. It's one of the variables that you can't control."

He added: "It's not good for Foz and it's not good for us but we've got to get him repaired as quickly as possible and hopefully get him back playing this year."

Fozzard joins a mounting injury list which has decimated Saints' pack. They were already without Fozzard's fellow front rowers, Jason Cayless (knee) and Maurie Fa'asavalu (broken thumb), back-row pair Jon Wilkin (knee) and Chris Flannery (leg), and they also lost young prop Gareth Frodsham with concussion in the 22-16 win at Bradford. Fa'asavalu will be out until Easter and Cayless is not expected back until the end of April, but Anderson is unlikely to look into the transfer market for a short-term replacement.

"I don't envisage going anywhere," he said. "We'll just have to hold the line and wait for the cavalry to come."

Frodsham, who made his Super League debut just two months after celebrating his 18th birthday, will be fit to face Wakefield at Knowsley Road on Sunday and captain Paul Sculthorpe reported no ill-effects from his comeback against the Bulls.

"He pulled up well on Saturday morning and trained this morning," said Anderson. "I'm expecting him to be available for Sunday."