Ospreys have eased fears over George North by reporting that the 109-cap Wales international should be playing rugby again within two to three weeks.
There had been fears the 30-year-old might be touch and go for the start of the Six Nations after he suffered a nasty facial injury playing for his region in their European Champions Cup tie against Leicester Tigers at the weekend. North left the pitch with blood pouring after taking a heavy-duty knock to the cheekbone.
He has since undergone surgery, but the extent of his layoff isn’t as bad as could have been the case.
Ospreys head coach Toby Booth said: “‘He had an operation [on Wednesday] and that went really well and it’s not too bad in relation to what it is. But you know a couple of weeks, hopefully, and he’ll be back at it, which is great.”
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The Ospreys face the Scarlets and Cardiff in United Rugby Championship matches over the festive season, but North isn’t expected to be ready to feature in those games. “Yeah, maybe a bit too soon, I certainly think in the new year he’ll be OK so that’ll be good for us,” said Booth, who described the knock North took as “a hell of a bump”.
“Any facial injury is always a worry but he’s all good. I’ve seen him this week and he’s got a nice shiny black eye. Outside of that he’s quite buoyant so that probably speaks volumes about how he feels.
“It’s a cheekbone and he’s OK. It’s all gone well. He’ll be good within a two to three-week period.”
News that North's injury isn't as bad as feared will please Warren Gatland as he begins preparations for Wales' Six Nations opener against Ireland. The New Zealander will view the big man as a key strike weapon in Wales' bid to defy the odds and upset the number one ranked side in the world.
There were bright tidings as well on Owen Watkin, with the Wales international centre also having gone under the knife to correct a knee injury he developed during the autumn internationals.
“He’s had a small tidy-up knee operation, but he’s OK and he’s around and about," Booth added. "He’s not training yet, but we don’t think it’s too serious. He should be back in training in the next couple of weeks."
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