Stuart Fielden, the Wigan Warriors prop, has been ruled out for four months after undergoing surgery on a knee injury.
The England international has made only one appearance for Wigan this season in a 44-10 win over Bradford, his former club, last month.
Michael Maguire, the Wigan coach, said: “It is unfortunate for Stuart and the club that he will be out of action for such a long length of time.
“The knee has required surgery and, although the operation was successful, recovery and full rehab will take between 12 and 16 weeks. It is a blow to lose such an experienced player from the side but it will provide an opportunity for someone else in the squad to seize their chance.”
Fielden’s lengthy lay-off coincides with arrival in Super League of Willie Mason, the Australia international, who has signed for Hull Kingston Rovers.
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Mason, once voted the most hated player in the NRL, is most famous for knocking Fielden out with a single punch during the 2006 Tri Nations Series in Sydney.
However, Rovers’ first meeting with Wigan is at Craven Park on April 15, with the return fixture at the DW Stadium on May 27, meaning Fielden will miss both games.
Mason was originally signed by Rovers in September, but his arrival was delayed by visa problems.
He joins as a non-quota player after he was granted a Tongan passport following a personal visit to the King of Tonga and is now in line to make his debut when Celtic Crusaders visit New Craven Park on Sunday.