Latham crocked for up to four months

1:35pm Monday 12th May 2008

WARRIOR-to-be Chris Latham will go under the knife tomorrow to have surgery on a torn chest muscle and will be out of action for up to four months.

Scans revealed the Australian international full-back tore his pectoral muscle from the bone early in the Queensland Reds' 27-21 defeat to Super 14 front-runners the Crusaders in Brisbane.

While there are no suggestions, at this stage, that Latham's arrival at Sixways in October will be delayed, he is likely to join the Warriors with little if any competitive rugby under his belt for six months.

"The shoulder's stiff - I just thought it was a bad cork, a stinger I could play through, but it's turned into a bit of a nightmare from a freakish situation," said Latham, who signed a three-year deal with Worcester.

"It's a shame my Reds career is over but I've got things to look forward to. I've got another three years for the Worcester Warriors. It's something I'm looking forward to. My rugby's not over.'' Prior to his injury, Latham, 32, was set to make his 100th Super rugby appearance for the Reds in the final game of the season against the Waratahs, but will now miss out The 78-Test veteran three-quarter has also conceded that his international career is over.

"I could probably make it back for one Test but there's no use for that," he said. "The selectors need to move on and obviously there will be people playing in between now and then and I really hope they get good form and they stay there and start performing."

On missing out on his 100th Super rugby match for the Reds, Latham added: "I don't at all feel ripped off. A little bit disappointed that it had to end this way. I would have cherished running out on Saturday night but it's not meant to be, so move on.

"I found myself a professional rugby player and with aspirations to compete for your country and your state and I've been able to do that so many times."

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