Setback: Stephen Ferris
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Ulster and Ireland have been dealt a blow after Stephen Ferris suffered a setback in his attempted return from surgery on an ankle tendon injury.
British & Irish Lion Ferris underwent surgery in December to repair ankle tendon damage that he sustained in a PRO12 game against Edinburgh.
"The 27-year-old was reviewed this week as part of his ongoing rehabilitation programme. In that review it was discovered that, although Stephen has made excellent progress in his recovery, some minor issues remain," read a statement.
"As a result, the specialist medical-staff treating Stephen are considering several options to ensure that he makes a full and complete return to play.
"A decision on a course of action will be made in the coming weeks."
The news comes as a further blow due to Ferris having been a leading contender for the blindside flanker jersey on the 2013 Lions tour.
Comments
ciaran1792 says...
He needs to take his time and stop agravateing his injury
Posted 01:05 22nd February 2013
Kid_Diablo says...
Shame. Even as a leinster fan i can admit this guy is my favourite irish player ( yes that includes o'brien ). i've really missed his big hit these last few months.
As much much as it pains me to say it, i think this guy will be retired by the age of 30. please please PLEASE! prove me wrong stevie.
Posted 00:32 22nd February 2013
stag says...
Yeah, fantastic talent and all that but almost impossible to get him on the field. Part of being a great player is durability and getting yourself on the paddock week in week out. Ferris is magnificent in full flow but it's all too rarely seen. There's not a chance he'll be lining up in Australia this summer. Unlikely he'll pick up many more caps for Ireland either but O'Brien is his equal at 6 anyway if only we had the sense to play him there. @99call: not sure what he did in a past life but in this one he was bound to the peace after him and his brother got involved in some late night shenanigans...
Posted 22:16 21st February 2013
carpelone says...
All the best, very bad luck. He is a bit injury prone, but because he always puts his body on the line.
Had he played against Burger or Smith, he could have picked even more injuries.
Posted 21:01 21st February 2013
PatrickH says...
Spot on Melkdave.
In my green tinted view he's the best 6 in the world. He never really got a long enough injury free spell to prove it though.
I would have loved to have seen him tear Schalk Burger apart back in '09.
Posted 19:27 21st February 2013
fatdragon says...
seems like all the great flanks have dealt with severe injuries. Best of luck to Ferris
Posted 18:40 21st February 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
Massive blow for Ulster and the Lions.
Posted 16:15 21st February 2013
99call says...
What else is going to happen to the guy, hes one of the best 6s Ive ever seen and can single handed change the direction of a game but I doubt we've seen the best of him, hes got to wonder what he did in a previous life to deserve this amount injuries
Posted 16:11 21st February 2013
melkdave says...
Bad news indeed,but hardly unexpected ,S.Ferris has been struggling all year,and most of last.So perhaps its best he rests and recovers fully,before playing again.Next year he will be fresh and raring to go,,and hopefully back to his best.
Posted 16:05 21st February 2013