Prop Luke Burgess’ season could be over just five matches into his spell with Catalans Dragons.
The 30-year-old former Leeds Rhinos, South Sydney and Salford Red Devils forward sustained a suspected rupture of his anterior cruciate ligaments in his right knee during the Dragons’ 37-26 win over Leigh Centurions in the Betfred Super League on Friday night.
The Perpignan club say Burgess, who joined them on a two-year contract following his short spell with Salford towards the end of last season, will see a specialist in Montpellier early next week to determine the full extent of the injury but are fearing the worst.
Catalans paid a high price for their first win in six games, with loose forward Jason Baitieri breaking a wrist which will rule him out for 10 to 12 weeks.
Burgess and Baitieri, who will undergo surgery next week, join Greg Bird, Jodie Broughton, Justin Horo and Thomas Bosc on the injury list ahead of the Easter double-header, which kicks off when they play Huddersfield Giants at the John Smith’s Stadium next Wednesday.