Bad news for Goode

Leicester fly-half Andy Goode faces six weeks on the sidelines with a knee injury.

Goode, the Zurich Premiership’s top scorer this season with 50 points from just three appearances, was hurt during Tigers’ 39-22 victory over London Irish last weekend.

He has now been diagnosed as having a ligament problem, and is unlikely to play again until November.

Apart from potentially missing four Premiership games, the injury also threatens Goode’s participation in opening Heineken Cup appointments with Italian side Calvisano and French challengers Biarritz.

Leicester’s 19-year-old fly-half prospect Ross Broadfoot looks likely to deputise in the east midlands derby against Northampton at Welford Road on Saturday.

“Losing Andy is exactly what we didn’t want. He was making a significant impact through his distribution, his breaks and his kicking,” said Leicester coach John Wells.

“But this is a good chance for Ross. He did well in pre-season, and we’ve got 100% confidence in him,” Wells told the Leicester Mercury.