SAM Burgess has confirmed a season-ending injury blow for luckless Warrington Wolves centre Connor Wrench.
Having already suffered a devastating ACL injury in 2022 that cost him nine months of his career, it has now been confirmed that the injury he suffered against Huddersfield Giants on Friday is the same but in the opposite knee.
It means the 22-year-old will not play again in 2024, with his focus now making sure he is ready for the start of next season.
“It’s not great for Connor – it’s as we expected and he’s done for the year,” Burgess said.
“It’s tough news for Connor for take and for us as a club as we really value.
“He’s got a positive mindset about it so he’ll just get on with it.
“It’s unfortunate and it’s the worst part of the game, but he’s got our full love and support. We’ll take good care of him.”
Wrench is the third Wire player to suffer a season-ending injury this year, with Luke Thomas also on the recovery trail after suffering an ACL injury in pre-season while Leon Hayes suffered a fracture dislocation of his left ankle at Salford in Round Nine.
Joe Philbin (adductor muscle) and Wesley Bruines (hamstring) have also had long-term injury issues, while Burgess also issued an update on the other fitness problems his side picked up against the Giants.
Lachlan Fitzgibbon (shoulder) and Toby King (hamstring) both came off during the game and both have been ruled out of Thursday’s clash with Leeds Rhinos.
Matty Ashton (back) and Josh Thewlis (shoulder) missed the game altogether, meaning Wire were extremely stretched in the outside backs.
Thewlis has been ruled out of this week’s game but Burgess is hopeful Ashton could return as could Jordy Crowther (ankle), who would boost the forwards with James Harrison absent due to a one-match suspension.
“Lachie is a bit of a funny one. We’re not sure how long he’s going to be out for but it’s not as bad as we first thought,” he said.
“Kingy’s got a little bit of a strain in there so he’s looking at around four or five weeks.
“Josh Thewlis isn’t available yet but Matty Ashton will be pretty close this week, and hopefully we’ll be able to get Jordy Crowther back this week.
“Josh is doing everything he can to get back – he’s not too far away but he won’t be back for this week.
“We were tested big time last week – we only had Paul Vaughan on the bench for the last half-hour of the game.
“We lost our two wingers leading into the game and then our two centres during the game, so we were really stretched. I’m proud of the guys for managing that adversity.
“We’ll go into this game with 17 players at least – we’re stretched in the outside backs but that’s part of the journey and we’re looking forward to that adversity.”
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