Boss Dean Ryan has backed Taine Basham to bounce back from injury – after confirmation that the young back row forward has had surgery on a broken arm injury.
Basham was forced off in the first half of the Guinness PRO14 clash with Scarlets and Director of Dragons Rugby Ryan has revealed he went under the knife today (Tuesday).
“Taine has got a fracture of the forearm which has needed stabilising this afternoon,” he said. “I’ve had similar injuries myself and I would say he’s out a good 8 to 10 weeks.
“It’s displaced so it will require a stabilisation. A lot depends on Taine’s ability to heal, but it will be around those sort of time frames.
“It’s come as a blow to Taine because we all saw his ability last year, but we know he will come back stronger from this,” he added.
“Like all good players, they hit a bit of a sticky patch when people are all over you in second year. But I thought he started coming out the other end in real good form. It’s a disappointment, but injured players are always part of it.
“Taine’s own trajectory is where most of my own disappointment is because you got to remember he is still learning the game. “He was learning and getting better all the time so a 10 week absence is a shame for him.”
Basham joins fellow back rows Ollie Griffiths, Ross Moriarty (both ankle) and Ben Fry (bicep) on the sidelines after operations.
Better news surrrounds Jamie Roberts and Lewis Evans who are both set to come into contention for selection this weekend.
Meanwhile, Ryan revealed the region had returned all negative tests in their weekly coronavirus tests on Monday ahead of the Guinness PRO!4 clash with Ospreys this Saturday at Rodney Parade.
"We are all clean but we've got to be really careful," said Ryan. "In the past we've got into false confidence but this just means that we are clean on Tuesday.
"Close contacts is our biggest challenge now with community transmissions from families.
"To have reported clear tests across the Christmas period is a relief because interaction with families was increased.
"But that doesn't stop our challenge; all the regions are aware it's a daily challenge."
It’s come as a blow to Taine because we all saw his ability last year, but we know he will come back stronger from this...
