Delport out for the season

Gloucester’s South African World Cup star Thinus Delport is out for the season after suffering serious knee ligament damage.

The 28-year-old was hurt during Gloucester’s 18-17 Zurich Premiership victory over Harlequins at Kingsholm last Saturday.

He has now undergone a knee scan, which revealed damage to the anterior cruciate and medial ligaments.

Full-back Delport will have an operation tomorrow on the medial ligament problem, with further surgery in about six weeks’ time to rectify the anterior cruciate trouble.

Medical opinion is that he faces a lay-off of between six and nine months, which comes as a major blow to Gloucester’s Heineken Cup and Premiership campaigns.

“I am very disappointed that it means I will miss the rest of the season,” said Delport.

“But I’ve got the first operation on Wednesday, and I’m looking forward to getting on to the first step of recovery, and of course returning to the pitch as time allows.”

Gloucester rugby director Nigel Melville added: “Our thoughts are with Thinus during this difficult time. He is a key member of our squad and will continue to be involved.

“The next few months will be important, and he will be working extremely closely with our medical team.”

Delport’s injury absence should mean a return for Jon Goodridge, who has already made nine starts this season, to first team action when Gloucester visit Leicester in the Premiership on Saturday.