Aviva Premiership Rugby Football Union club the Exeter Chiefs have been dealt a hammer blow to their hopes of qualifying for European competition next season with star forward Ben Sturgess ruled out for the rest of Premiership season.
The loose head prop, one of the most experienced players in the Chiefs lineup, has been ruled out after sustaining a highly complex knee injury while playing for his team during their 22-6 defeat at the hands of Harlequins FC in December.
Initial reports had suggested that the player could make his return to action as early as February but it has now emerged that he will miss the rest of season with the injury which might also force him to miss the beginning of the new season as well.
Sturgess was taken to hospital immediately after the game and later scans revealed the severity of the problem in his knee which will definitely require surgery at some time or the other.
Rob Baxter, the Director of Rugby of the Exeter Chiefs stated that the news doesn’t come as a good one for a player like Sturgess and unfortunately, he will have to miss out on the remainder of the season.
Baxter went on to add that it is a cruel blow not only for the player but also for the team as well. He added that Brett Sturgess is not only a senior and most talented players in the squad but he is one of the popular players in the group and his presence will surely be missed by the Exeter Chiefs players.
But he is also confident that the player is in very good hands with the Chiefs medical team being one of the best in the country and he is hopeful of seeing him back fully fit and ready for action.