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Rugby League

Rhinos' Toopi out for four months with dislocated shoulder

05/03/2008

Leeds Rhinos centre Clinton Toopi has been ruled out for up to four months with a dislocated shoulder he suffered in last week's World Club Challenge.

The New Zealand international was taken off during last Friday's 11-4 win over Melbourne Storm at Elland Road and will undergo surgery this week before he begins a three-month rehabilitation programme.

The news is a blow to Rhinos head coach Brian McClennan, who is hoping to guide the team to a repeat of the 2007 Super League win in his first year in charge.

"We are really disappointed for Clinton that he will be out for a long period of time," McClennan said.

"However, we are also happy that he got to play a part in becoming a world champion for 2008 but it was a high price to pay. Toops will handle the setback really well, he will rehab well and I have no doubt he will come back stronger."

Centre Ashley Gibson, who suffered a long-term injury of his own last season following knee surgery, is expected to deputise for Toopi until his return in June.

Meanwhile, Warrington Wolves have also been dealt an injury blow with the news that Paul Wood is facing two months on the sidelines.

The prop aggravated a shoulder injury just six minutes into last week's 38-18 win over Catalans Dragons, which was his first game back after undergoing a reconstructive operation on the same joint six months ago.

Wood joins Simon Grix, Chris Bridge and Ben Harrison in the physio room, and all four players will be unavailable for Saturday's game against Wigan Warriors at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.