Gloucester Rugby injury latest: Red hot back undergoes surgery

Gloucester Rugby have confirmed that centre Phil Cokanasiga has undergone surgery on a foot injury he suffered in the win away at Exeter Chiefs on the opening weekend of the Gallagher PREM season.

Cokanasiga, who joined the Cherry and Whites from the Ospreys in a bit of an under-the-radar signing over the summer, exploded out of the blocks for his new club with two eye-catching displays against Bristol Bears, in the PREM Rugby Cup, and they in the 45-24 win at Sandy Park a couple of weeks ago.

But now the club have confirmed that last week Cokanasiga had surgery on a Lisfranc injury, which is damage to the bones or ligaments in the middle of the foot, and is not expected to return until January 2027.

The better news for the Cherry and Whites is that centre Seb Atkinson is understood to have passed his Head Injury Assessment after going offf during Saturday's 48-0 victory against Harlequins, which means he should be available to face Leicester Tigers at Welford Road on Friday night with the Slater Cup up for grabs, not to mention Gloucester's position at the top of the early Gallagher PREM table.

Gloucester have also confirmed that Welsh international centre Max Llewellyn is expected back by the end of the month (October) as he completes his recovery from a hamstring injury, which will mitigate the loss of Cokanasiga, with 19-year-old WIll Knight getting valuable minutes off the bench against Harlequins as well as he continues his development.

Full-back Ben Redshaw also looks set to come back into the selection picture to face Tigers, having missed the game with Quins after failing a HIA against Exeter Chiefs in Round One.

Looking ot the pack, the club have confirmed that versatile prop Jamal Ford-Robinson is also targeting a January return, having had an operation to repair a hamstring tear suffered in our Gloucester Lions fixture against Bristol Bears in September.

Lock Danny Eite continues his recovery from the ACL injury sustained last season but is not expected back until the Spring, post Six Nations.

In better news, lock Jean Kleyn passes his HIA tests after yo-yoing on and off the field in the first half against Harlequins and should be in contention to face Leicester, while fellow South African James Venter should be back by the end of the month to add to George Skivington's flanker options.

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