Bristol Bears’ key playmaker Callum Sheedy received ‘a stinger’ which left him without feeling down one side of his body Pat Lam revealed after the 34-17 victory over Newcastle Falcons.
The nerve damage was done in the 11th minute of the game when the fly-half was blindsided by a late no arms hit from Falcons prop Adam Brocklebank who was yellow carded for the offence.
After playing on for two minutes Sheedy was replaced by Ioan Lloyd who was making a welcome return from an ankle injury.
Welsh international Sheedy now looks likely to be a doubt to face Exeter Chiefs on Friday night with just a six day turn around to the top of the table clash.
Speaking after the match against Newcastle at Kingston Park, Bears director of rugby Pat Lam discussed Sheedy’s injury.
Lam said: “He took a late hit which is a shame and he lost the feeling down one of his sides, his left side.
“I think he didn’t realise it was a bit of a stinger but then when he went to make a pass to Niyi Adeolokun it was delayed and he realised he had lost feeling in it so he came off.
“Hopefully it is not too bad, he was starting to get more feeling in it towards the end of the game on the bench, he is an important player for us.
“We will see how it goes over the next few days.”
While Lam could call upon the services of the excellent Lloyd, or Saturday’s man of the match from full back Max Malins, to start against Exeter on Friday he admitted Sheedy is a key figure and so would be a huge loss,
He said: “I make no secret of the fact he could take my place as the coach. He understands the way I want to play the game, he calls it really well and he is a really good leader and we are trying to bridge the gap to Callum with our other 10s.
“But we can’t just rely on Callum so it was a good opportunity for Max Malin and Ioan Lloyd to show what they can do.”
Should Sheedy not be fit to start opposite Joe Simmonds on Friday night, Lam could well opt to start England international Malins in the 10 jersey with Charles Piutau returning at full-back, in the process solving the selection dilemma over how to get two of his best players into the same backline.
A further injury update is expected at the Bears’ midweek press conference.
