Out for up to 12 weeks: Ben Foden
England full-back Ben Foden requires surgery to his ankle, meaning he is set to miss the November Tests against Fiji, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.
A visit to a specialist on Thursday revealed that Foden sustained severe damage to his right ankle ligaments against Bath last Friday.
The Northampton full-back will undergo an operation in the next few days and it is anticipated he will be out of action for approximately 10-12 weeks.
With the opening November Test against Fiji eight weeks away, the potential absence of the 30-cap man is a blow to Stuart Lancaster but the England Head Coach pointed to the other quality back three players at his disposal.
"It is unfortunate for Ben who has had a good run in the side and is a valuable leader," said Lancaster.
"But we have a number of back three players who are playing well and this offers a chance for them.
"Our medics will work closely with Northampton Saints to help Ben's recovery and I am sure he will be available for the Six Nations."
Northampton Saints Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder echoed a similar sentiment, adding that he is backing Foden to return as a better player.
"Ben had been playing well at the start of this season and to lose him to injury is obviously disappointing," said Mallinder.
"But we know that he is a dedicated professional and will work hard with our Performance team to come back as a better and fitter player.
"In the meantime Ben's injury will give opportunities for the other back three players in our squad like James Wilson, Scott Armstrong and Noah Cato to show what they can do in the Saints first team."
Comments
rugby_rockstar says...
Shame for Ben but it'll focus Mike Brown and Andy Goode. Long shot is Tom Homer who when on form coud really help England out by giving them a dead eye kicker.
Posted 11:53 21st September 2012
heart_of_oak says...
Brown - if he gets the nod - is no mean replacement for Foden. As melkdave says we have some other good ones too though I reckon Brown just shades it ahead of the others. I wish Foden a speedy recovery all the same.
As for other back line positions, I hope SL will consider the opposition when he makes his selection and I hope he does not inflict another Tony Underwood vs Jonah Lomu on us. We don't really have any centres who combine size and power with skill, flair and good defence at the moment. I think we need this at inside centre. Manu has some of these attributes but not all and in any case, I think he's more effective at outside centre, acting like a battering ram when the more creative inside centre has created some space.
I think - perhaps - that Twelvetrees comes closted to this and hope he can show it consistently this season.
Posted 09:52 21st September 2012
melkdave says...
Bad news for Foden ,but maybe good news for the likes of M.Brown ,A.Goode and N.Abendannon,one thing is atm England do seem to have a very decent crop of talant atm for FB,and some good youngsters comming through.I do howver wish him the speediest recovery ,andhope it doesnt dent his Lions ambitions.
Posted 22:14 20th September 2012