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Rugby League

Cayless to miss start of season

23/11/2007

St Helens prop Jason Cayless will miss the first three months of next season's Super League after he was forced to undergo knee surgery.

The New Zealand international was ruled out of the entire three-match Test series against Great Britain because of knee cartilage damage he sustained towards the end of the 2007 domestic campaign.

To cure the problem, Cayless was forced to go under the knife for a microfracture operation - a procedure which involves deliberately breaking the bones around the joint in a bid to improve the stability and mobility of the knee.

Saints coach Daniel Anderson said the surgery was necessary to ensure Cayless, who has been a key player since joining from Sydney Roosters two years ago, would be at full fitness for 2008.

"Some players need to train well to play and due to the nature of his injury Jason was going game-to-game towards the end of last season," Anderson said.

The total recovery period for the treatment is approximately six months, meaning the 27-year-old is not expected to be back in action before May.

St Helens are looking to bounce back from the grand final defeat to Leeds Rhinos at the end of last season, which meant they surrendered the Super League trophy despite finishing with the best record in the regular season.