Marland Yarde
Marland Yarde

Marland Yarde set for prolonged absence following knee injury


Marland Yarde's hopes of regaining his England place in time for next year's World Cup have been ended by the season-ending knee injury sustained in Sale's victory over Newcastle on Saturday.

A scan has revealed that Yarde ruptured the ACL and MCL ligaments of his left knee and also dislocated the joint while making a tackle in the closing stages of the Gallagher Premiership clash at the AJ Bell Stadium.

Press Association Sport understands the 26-year-old wing has been ruled out for the rest of the 2018-19 campaign and is targeting a return during pre-season next summer.

Yarde has been frozen out of recent England squads after falling behind new additions Chris Ashton and Joe Cokanasiga in Eddie Jones' wing pecking order and has not been capped since the tour to Argentina in June 2017.

However, the former Harlequins back had impressed in an otherwise disappointing start to the season by the Sharks and could have forced himself back on to the fringes of contention but for Saturday's horrific injury.

A visit to see a specialist on Tuesday will outline a timeframe for surgery and the ensuing treatment plan, with the prognosis at this stage a minimum lay-off of six months.

It is a blow to Sale, who will at least be able to give Ashton his club debut in the Challenge Cup clash with Connacht on October 20 following completion of his seven-week ban for a tip tackle made during pre-season.

However, should Ashton be involved in England's autumn series, that could be his only contribution to Sale until December, further straining the club's depleted back three resources.

The Sharks have at least been able to strengthen their limited loosehead options by signing former Wasps and Leicester prop Tom Bristow from French second division team Narbonne.

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