Burgess out for the season

[josie andrews]

South Sydney have plunged further into injury crisis after learning English forward Sam Burgess will play no further part in the regular NRL season.

Star backrower Burgess had an arthroscopy on Monday when it was discovered he had ruptured ligaments in his ankle.

The luckless star broke the news on Twitter on Tuesday, telling fans: "Thanks for all your well wishes. Opp (operation) wasn't the best. More damage than expected. Need a screw. Out for the season. Gutted."

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Burgess injured his ankle in Souths' 36-24 loss to Canterbury on April 23 and was initially expected to miss only a month.

But Souths on Tuesday confirmed he would be out for at least four months, which leaves the door slightly ajar for a return if the Rabbitohs reach the finals.

"Burgess underwent an arthroscopy yesterday and it was found that he had ruptured the ligaments in his ankle, required a screw to be inserted to stabilise the joint to enable it to heal correctly," the club said in a statement.

"Burgess' rehabilitation time will be a minimum of four months, ruling him out for the remainder of the regular season matches."

The club also announced rookie winger Kane Morgan will miss the rest of the season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament.

It continues a horror run of bad luck for the Bunnies, coming just days after skipper Roy Asotasi was ruled for four months after breaking his hand in last Friday night's 31-12 win over Cronulla.

The Rabbitohs have already lost props Scott Geddes (Achilles) and Luke Stuart (knee) for the season.

Souths were already forced to turn make-shift front rowers Eddy Pettybourne and Shannon McPherson into full-timers - and Asotasi's injury leaves Ben Ross as their only recognised first grade prop.

Ross himself is only eight NRL matches into his comeback from serious neck problems which kept him out of the game for two seasons.

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