Blow for Featherstone as Mark Kheirallah out for season

Featherstone’s Super League hopes have been dealt a huge blow with star full-back Mark Kheirallah out for the rest of the season with a ruptured ACL.

The France international was carried off before half-time in Sunday’s 58-22 Championship win over Newcastle, falling awkwardly as he appeared to twist his knee after tripping while passing the ball.

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Head coach Brian McDermott was hoping for “a six-weeker” but scans have showed the France international has suffered the most serious knee injury possible and will not play again until 2023.

Mark Kheirallah has torn every ligament in his knee and fractured his tibia.

“I got the result back and it’s not the best,” said Kheirallah.

“Full rupture ACL, partial tear MCL, partial tear LCL, small fracture in the head of the tibia, and bone bruising.

“It pretty much means season over and I’m going to have to have surgery potentially next week or the week after and then the healing process begins so it will be a bit of a longer recovery.

“I’m not too sure until I see the surgeon exactly how long but it doesn’t look like I’ll be playing again this year. It’s all good, I’ll figure it out, it is part of the journey and there is plenty of support that I have around me.”

Replacement

Rovers started the season with Brandon Pickersgill at full-back, but the former Bradford man has also picked up an injury and will not be available until August.

It means Craig Hall, last season’s Betfred Championship Player of the Year, but recently dropped by McDermott, is likely to revert to full-back from left centre. Another option is new signing Jack Broadbent, who has scored six tries in two games on the wing since arriving from Leeds.

Featherstone trail leaders Leigh by three points at the top of the Championship table.

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