Knee surgery rules Evans out of international series

Published on Wednesday 4 November 2009 21:54

MAX EVANS will undergo surgery on a knee injury tomorrow, meaning he will take no part in Scotland's autumn Test series later this month. Prop Alasdair Dickinson has also dropped out of the squad due to a shoulder injury sustained whilst playing for Gloucester against Wasps two weeks ago.

Evans has just returned to action after six months out because of ligament and cartilage damage in his knee. He was not named in the initial 32-man national squad for this week's training camp in St Andrews because head coach Andy Robinson felt that he would not be back to his best in time for next Saturday's game against Fiji. However, he was asked to join the group as part of his recovery process and after three decent performances for Glasgow Hawks and Glasgow Warriors on the comeback trail, it was anticipated that he would feature in the Australia and Argentina matches.

Instead he will be a frustrated spectator as he recovers from surgery on the other knee.

"He's had a problem with his other knee and he's going to need corrective surgery," said Robinson. "He's been training with us, but its just catching at times and I'd rather he gets it sorted. He's not right so as opposed to delaying it, we'll let him get away and get it treated."

With Evans definitely out and Ben Cairns also struggling with another knee injury, the outside centre position could become a problem for Robinson, who rates Cairns as 'touch and go' for the Fiji match.

Dickinson's departure from the squad is not so much of a surprise. The 26-year-old spent Tuesday in hospital for tests on his shoulder. Kyle Traynor, who was invited to St Andrews as cover, has now been upgraded to a full member of the squad.

On the plus side, Chris Paterson, who has been out with a foot infection, trained yesterday, as did Alan MacDonald and Nikki Walker who were out with a stiff calf and head cut earlier this week. Johnnie Beattie sat out training with a groin injury.