Redpath sidelined by cheekbone injury

Sale Sharks scrum-half Bryan Redpath could be sidelined for three months after he suffered a fractured cheekbone during his team’s European Challenge Cup victory against Narbonne.

The former Scotland captain is set to undergo surgery tomorrow after receiving hospital treatment in France following Sharks’ 33-15 second-round, first-leg triumph.

Redpath, aged 33, sustained a triple fracture when he accidentally clashed heads with Sharks team-mate and England prop Andrew Sheridan.

Redpath was given the all-clear to fly home yesterday, but is now not expected to play again until February or March.

His loss will be keenly felt, especially as Sale are currently contesting a top-three place in the Zurich Premiership and have one foot in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals.