Western Force captain Nathan Sharpe is on course to be fit in time for the start of the 2010 Super 14 season.
Force skipper on course to be fit for the start of the new season
Western Force captain Nathan Sharpe is on course to be fit in time for the start of the 2010 Super 14 season after his shoulder injury was not as bad as first thought.
Sharpe was ruled out of Australia's tour to Japan and Europe after being told he needed an operation to repair his shoulder.
Initial assessments had indicated that a full reconstruction was needed - however surgeons found the joint to be in better shape than expected when Sharpe went under the knife this week.
And Western Force doctor Mark De Cruz is expecting the 79-Test veteran to be ready and raring to go in time for the new season.
"Fortunately, the damage to Nathan's shoulder wasn't as severe as expected, so it did not require a full reconstruction," De Cruz said.
"With physiotherapy and a careful rehabilitation program, we hope Nathan will be available for round one of the 2010 season."
Terrific
Although Sharpe knows he faces a lot of work to return to full fitness, he is pleased to have avoided a full reconstruction of his shoulder.
"I will have plenty of hard work to do in my rehab program, but since it will be my first pre-season training with the club I am ready to get stuck in, and I am actually excited about it," said Sharpe
"We have a terrific medical and physio team here in WA who will help me get back on the track.
"No question I'd rather be on tour playing with the Wallabies, but that wasn't to be.
"I am hoping to be ready for the Brumbies on February 12."
