Charlie Hodgson 'could miss first month of the season'

06/08/2010

Charlie Hodgson's chances of wearing the England number ten shirt during the autumn internationals may have been harmed, after the stand-off underwent shoulder surgery.

The Sale Sharks star is now expected to miss the start of the new Premiership season, although the club said the procedure had been completely successful.

While he has now begun rehabilitation, Sale have revealed that he could miss the whole first month of the new campaign.

If this report proves accurate, then Hodgson will be absent for the first match of the season against Newcastle Falcons on September 3rd 2010, followed by the clashes with Saracens, Harlequins and Bath.

The 29-year-old would then have just one month to prove his fitness if he hopes to play a part in the first of England's autumn internationals, against New Zealand at Twickenham on November 6th.

Hodgson faces competition for a starting place at outside-half from the likes of Jonny Wilkinson, who plays his club rugby in France with Toulon and Toby Flood of Leicester Tigers.

Posted by Ted Walker