Haskell forced to have surgery

Northampton’s injury crisis is showing no signs of abating – James Haskell is the latest to be forced to go under the knife.

Another second summer signing – 6’5? centre Andy Symons -has had an ACL reconstruction and is out for the rest of the season, as is Harry Mallinder.

Nafi Tuitavake and Samoan international Ken Pisi have shoulder problems, with Pisi out until February.

Now Haskell has undergone surgery for an ankle injury which will require a 6-10 week rehabilitation period.

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Watch: James Haskell speaks about England goals and being the new boy at Northampton

Director of rugby Chris Boyd commented, “We’re disappointed to lose James, but we know he’ll rehab diligently and do everything he can to get back on the training field as soon as possible.”

If Haskell does take 10 weeks to recover it will leave him with little time to try and impress England head coach Eddie Jones ahead of the 6 Nations.

The 33-year-old has not featured in the November tests but still harbours ambitions to make England’s World Cup squad next year.

He was involved in England’s preseason camp and speaking to RugbyPass in August he said “I want to be involved, my whole reason for staying in the Premiership is to get in that World Cup squad and to play well here. These [England] camps are great, there were fifteen boys who were missing that could potentially be picked. You don’t want to read too much into it. All that matters is when the Premiership starts and how you perform.”

“When you’re heading towards the twilight of your career, you never take for granted any opportunity to put on your England kit and run out there and get some high level coaching and work with the likes of Eddie (Jones) and Steve (Borthwick) because it’s a privilege,” the 77-times capped player.

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