Scotland and Glasgow Warriors centre Mark Bennett faces a race against time to be fit for the Rugby World Cup after it was confirmed that the 22-year-old midfielder has undergone shoulder surgery that will keep him out of action until the end of this season.
Bennett, who made his international debut against Argentina last November and who has since won seven caps and has scored two Test tries, was one of Scotland's top performers in an otherwise disappointing RBS 6 Nations Championship this year.
Bennett picked up his injury while on Scotland duty. It had been hoped that rest and rehabilitation would be enough to clear up the problem, but following a sacn at the BMI Ross Hall Hospital it became clear that an operation was required. This has now been carried out.
An official bulletin confirmed that Bennett's season is now over, but expressed the hope that he could be fit again in time for the World Cup, which gets underway in September.
It is a serious blow for Scotland as Bennett's fellow Glasgow centre Alex Dunbar appears almost certain to miss the World Cup after suffering a serious knee injury last month. To make matters worse, Edinburgh centre Matt Scott is also a doubt for the tournament as he, too, is suffering a shoulder problem.
The news could hardly have come at a worse time for Glasgow as well. The Warriors currently hold top spot in the Guinness PRO12 table, but they will need to keep winning if they are to retain that position and secure a home play-off place next month.
To compound Glasgow's problems, winger DTH van der Merwe is also in danger of missing the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on the hand injury he suffered in the Warriors' PRO12 victory over Cardiff Blues last weekend.
Canadian international Van der Merwe, who is set to join the Scarlets at the end of this season, has not been ruled out yet, the official dossier saying only that he will "will now commence a period of rehab with the medics and will be working towards a possible return before the end of the season".
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