Irish centre Rob Henderson has confirmed that he will be out of action for at least six months after he was forced to undergo surgery for cartilage damage suffered on the recent Lions tour to Australia.
The Ireland international had his worst fears confirmed today, a bitter blow after completing a summer move from Wasps to Munster.
Henderson will remain in England to start his rehabilitation with the Premiership outfit over the next two weeks, before travelling to Ireland where he is expected to link up with his Munster colleagues in the middle of August.
"Obviously I am really disappointed," said Henderson.
"When I returned from Australia, I knew I needed an operation but I didn't realise what the damage was.
"It is really frustrating because I wanted to make a big impression after moving to Munster."
Dover-born Henderson was one of the few successes on the Lions trip, forming a lethal midfield partnership with international colleague Brian O'Driscoll as the tourists scorched to a 29-13 success in Brisbane.
Although he was unable to repeat that display in subsequent defeats in Melbourne and Sydney, he returned home with his reputation enhanced and ready to launch himself into action for his new Province.
However, now he will be a frustrated spectator as Ireland continue their 2001 Six Nations programme, where they are currently unbeaten and hope to build-up to a series decider against England at Lansdowne Road on October 20.
Henderson, who has won 25 caps for his country since making his debut against Samoa in 1996, is almost certainly out of Munster's inaugural Celtic League campaign and will struggle to reach full fitness in time to play a part in the final Heineken Cup group games for the 1999 runners-up.
"The operation was completed successfully but it has been intimated that Rob could be out for up to six months," admitted a Munster spokesman.
"Rob will initially use the facilities at Wasps to start his rehabilitation and will probably take a bit of a break at some stage." -PA