Covell To Undergo Elbow Surgery
Sharks winger Luke Covell, injured just five minutes into his international debut for New Zealand in October, will enter hospital to undergo elbow surgery.
It had been previously hoped that Covell could avoid surgery on his right elbow, however a second specialists opinion thought it best to have the injury corrected in a bid to prevent further problems down the track.
Covell, who had been back at training with the Sharks during the past couple of weeks, will enter hospital tomorrow (Wednesday).
The recovery period for Covell will be around four months, putting him in doubt for the opening rounds of the 2008 season.
After an outstanding 2007, Covell was selected to play for New Zealand, his father's country of berth, in the Trans Tasman Test in October and for the subsequent tour of France and the UK. However during the opening exchanges of the test against Australia, Covell dislocated the elbow, was forced from the field for the rest of the game and later deemed unfit to tour with the Kiwis.
With Covell his team's number one goal kicking option, coach Ricky Stuart will now be forced to find another kicker for the opening rounds, with the likes of Brett Seymour, Blake Green, Mitch Brown, Bryson Goodwin and Greg Bird all capable of carrying out the role, dependant on team selections.
At this stage of the Sharks pre-season preparations Covell appears to be the only player in doubt for the kick-off to 2008, with the remainder of the squad likely to be fit come March next year.
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