Disaster strikes for Sinbad

James Simpson-Daniel will miss the start of the season with a fractured collarbone.

Gloucester have suffered a massive blow less than two weeks before the start of the new Premiership season, after it was discovered James Simpson-Daniel has fractured his right collarbone.

The England centre will undergo surgery on Monday to correct the injury, but he is now likely to miss at least the first two months of the new campaign.

Disaster struck during the Cherry-and-Whites' friendly fixture with Llanelli Scarlets, a match the Welsh side won 19-7.

The latest setback adds yet further woe to the plight of Simpson-Daniel, who was prevented from adding to his tally of nine England caps on the summer tour of Australia due to a badly bruised leg.

Commenting on the blow, head coach Dean Ryan told the club website: "It is obviously devastating news and he will have our total backing.

"We will be supporting him in every possible way to ensure a quick recovery."

Having finished the 2005/06 campaign in fifth position, Gloucester hope to push themselves into the play-off places this year.

The England midfield partnership of Simpson-Daniel and Mike Tindall was a foundation on which that challenge was expected to be built, but Ryan will now have to find an alternative solution.

The news is also a major personal blow for the 24-year-old, who had hoped to finally realise his potential by nailing down an England jersey ahead of next year's World Cup.

Gloucester kick off their Premiership campaign at home to local rivals Bath.