Balding sidelined

By Ben Blackmore  

Balding sidelined

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Gloucester captain Adam Balding will have surgery to repair the fractured cheekbone he suffered in his side's 15-15 draw with Worcester.

The No.8 lasted just six minutes of the the opening day fixture after he was badly injured in a collision with the Warriors' Drew Hickey.

Gloucester's medical staff have confirmed the forward sustained three fractures to his right cheekbone, with the England 'A' international likely to be out for around two months.

Despite the disappointment of facing an extended spell on the sidelines, Balding remains upbeat and is already focused on making a quick recovery.

"I will have an operation on Wednesday and then look forward to starting my recovery," he told Gloucester's official website.

"I don't want to dwell on what has happened and I have already looked ahead to running and weight training in two weeks.

"I believe these things happen for a reason and I will stay positive and aim to come back fitter and stronger.

"We play in a contact sport and injuries do happen - I have just got to remain upbeat about the future. It is frustrating but there is nothing I can do now."