The Warrington forward Ben Currie will not play for club or country against this season after suffering a serious knee injury that could rule him out of action for nine months.
Currie was injured during Warrington’s Super League defeat to Wigan last Friday, and although the club were initially hopeful over the severity of the problem, scans have shown that the 22-year-old has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
He will miss Warrington’s remaining fixtures this season, beginning with their trip to Hull this Friday which will determine the winners of the League Leaders’ Shield. Currie will also miss England’s Four Nations campaign this autumn after being widely expected to earn his first call-up to the national side following an impressive season at club level.
“Our worst fears have come to fruition,” said Tony Smith, the Warrington coach. “He’s torn his ACL off the bone. He’s on his way to London as we speak for repair. I believe that will involve a graft back on to the bone.
“The minimum recovery would be six months but I reckon it will be close to nine months. It’s a big blow for the young man. It’s come at a time when he’s playing some big games for his club and he’s also been pushing for that international jersey.”
Smith has backed the forward to come back stronger from the injury, saying: “He’s sensible and he understands that for those sort of injuries it’s not career-ending anymore. Once upon a time it would be.
“He’s getting on with things and understands he’ll come back to have a fantastic career with an opportunity for all those things he’s missing out on now.”
Smith will also have to try and win the League Leaders’ Shield on Friday without the Australian half-back Kurt Gidley who has been left out due to a hamstring injury. That could mean a recall to the side for the former Hull winger Tom Lineham as Smith prepares a major reshuffle of his backline.
The Hull coach Lee Radford has contrasting fortunes on the injury front as he is able to call on the services of the experienced forward duo Mark Minichiello and Frank Pritchard. The pair missed last weekend’s victory at Wakefield but will return to Radford’s side as Hull aim to finish top of the Super League for the first time in the competition’s history
