Super Rugby
Kankowski surgery hits Sharks
ESPNscrum Staff
February 29, 2012
Sharks No.8 Ryan Kankowski passes, Sharks v Reds, Super 14, Kings Park, Durban, April 3, 2010
Ryan Kankowski has been ruled out for a month © Getty Images
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Teams: Sharks | South Africa

The Sharks will have to make do without Ryan Kankowski for the next four weeks of Super Rugby after the No.8 suffered a thumb injury.

The Springbok international underwent surgery on Wednesday, when a screw was inserted into the troublesome digit after a similar injury during last season.

Team doctor Ewoudt van der Linde predicted that Kankowski will return ahead of schedule, but will nevertheless have to sit out a sizable chunk of action.

"Ryan suffered the same injury as last year, so this is a case of re-injuring the same thumb" he said. "He went in to have a screw inserted this morning [Wednesday] and the prognosis is a return to play of between four and six weeks, although I believe it will be closer to four."

The Sharks are also waiting for injury updates on lock Willem Alberts and winger Odwa Ndungane, with both players facing late calls on their fitness prior to the weekend's meeting with the Stormers.

"Willem's been training with us this week and taken some contact but we'll only make a decision on him on Thursday once he's finished a big working week," coach John Plumtree said.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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