Barkley needed for town and country
Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:12
Gloucester's Olly Barkley, who was included in England's Elite squad on Tuesday, is to undergo surgery this week on an injury suffered in England's second Test defeat in New Zealand.
Barkley is due to have an operation on his fractured left scaphoid (wrist) on Friday in Cheltenham.
The talented flyhalf sustained the injury during the second Test of England's inbound tour to New Zealand, in which England were hammered 44-12 in Christchurch.
It is anticipated that Barkley will return to full fitness in six to eight weeks.
Gloucester head coach, Dean Ryan, said of Barkley's predicament: "Olly requires this surgery now to give him the best possible chance of being fit for the start of the 2008/09 Guinness Premiership season.
"He is a tremendous talent and a great asset for the club so we need to get the injury cleared up as soon as possible," he added.
Barkley's recovery will also be crucial for his participation in England's November internationals against the powerhouses of Southern Hemisphere rugby.
