Smith blow for Ospreys

Ospreys back rower out until November due to shoulder surgery

Last updated: 28th July 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Smith blow for Ospreys

Smith: Injury blow

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Ospreys will be without back-row forward Tom Smith until November after he was forced to undergo shoulder surgery.

The 24-year-old has not played since February after being struck by injuries, but he had hoped to make an impact next season with the Welsh side expected to suffer from international call-ups.

Former Wales Under-21 skipper Smith has spoken of his frustration at again being hit by injury, with his surgery set to keep him out of action until November.

"It is frustrating. I had a good run of games at the end of the previous season and the start of last season and I really think I was starting to establish myself," said Smith.

"This injury has probably increased that sense of frustration, but I'm looking forward to getting back as soon as I can. Hopefully 2011 will be a better year for me than 2010.

Niggle

"There was no big moment when it happened, it was just a gradual niggle that got worse, and became more and more unstable.

"A couple of knocks I had towards the end of the season just meant that it was at a stage where something had to be done.

"You have to expect setbacks like this as a professional rugby player. "How you bounce back defines you as a player, I suppose.

"I'll dig in, work hard, and I think I'm the type that will stay upbeat through the inevitable downbeat moments you get when you're on the long-term injury list.

"It's going to be a long haul back to regular rugby, but I'm sure that I can come back bigger and stronger."

Better news for Ospreys comes with prop Duncan Jones progressing well after foot surgery and expected to be fit for the start of the season.