Gloucester Rugby have been dealt another major blow with second row Alex Brown ruled out for the rest of the season following surgery on his injured shoulder.
The loss of Brown comes just days after the Amlin Challenge Cup club revealed that wing James Simpson-Daniel would be sidelined for up to four months with similar damage.
Gloucester tackle fellow Premiership club and Pool 1 leaders London Irish in key Amlin Challenge Cup Rounds 3 and 4 matches next month but will have to do without Brown, who had made 63 European appearances for Bristol Shoguns and Gloucester since taking his European bow against Mont de Marsan over 12 years ago.
The 33-year-old England international, who is in his benefit season with the club, has been ruled out of playing action since the opening game of the season.
Rest and rehabilitation since then have not progressed the situation as quickly as player and club would have liked so he has had surgery.
"It's not good news," said Director of Rugby Nigel Davies. "Alex has got nerve damage in his shoulder and, as a result of that, will be out for at least the rest of the season.
"We tried to avoid it, but the op was necessary in the end because the symptoms weren't moving. When the surgeons got in there, they realised that there was a lot of damage and had to do a lot of repair work.
"We obviously wish Alex all the best and we're right behind him. We'll see how things progress over the next couple of months."
In the meantime, Davies confirmed that the club will still be keeping Brown involved and utilising his extensive line-out knowledge.
"He'll certainly be helping in terms of his knowledge on line-outs, which he has been doing already since he picked up the injury," added Davies.
"That's very beneficial to us. He's pitchside looking at what the opposition are doing, defensively and on their own ball, and provides feedback on that.
"He'll still be a big part of Gloucester Rugby, and contributing to the cause, even though he won't be able to play for the rest of the season."
