Aviva Premiership
Exeter hit by Whitehead setback
ESPN Staff
December 9, 2012
Chris Whitehead is held back by James Craig, Exeter Chief v Northampton Saints, Aviva Premiership, Sandy Park, Exeter, England, April 22, 2012
Chris Whitehead will have surgery on a neck injury © PA Photos
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Players/Officials: Chris Whitehead
Tournaments/Tours: Aviva Premiership
Teams: Exeter Chiefs

Exeter hooker Chris Whitehead is set to miss the next three months as he recovers from a neck injury.

The 26-year-old, who signed a new two-year contract with the Chiefs recently, is due to undergo surgery later this week.

Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter said: "Chris has a relatively serious injury and is going to have an operation on Tuesday, and he is going to be out for ten to 12 weeks.

"Chris has an on-going neck problem, a typical hooker's problem, a bit of a degenerative issue, which we ultimately have to make a decision on. It is either a case of letting it get worse or deal with it now.

"Our other three hookers - Neil Clark, Simon Alcott and Jack Yeandle - are fit and raring to go, so we felt the time was right now. Chris is going to be with us for a long time.

"We don't want to keep playing him when the injury is worsening, and end up breaking him. We feel it is right to get him treated now, get him 100 per cent, and he should be back before the end of the season."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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