HIGHLANDERS lock Tom Donnelly has ruptured ligaments in his right thumb and will not play again until March.
Donnelly was due to have an operation yesterday to fix the ligaments he ruptured on Monday, and is out for six weeks.
Donnelly (27), injured the thumb during tackling practice at training on Monday. His loss will be hard felt as he is a proven ball winner in the Highlanders line-out and one of the most experienced forwards.
If his recovery goes to plan he could optimistically be available for the game against the Crusaders at Carisbrook on March 7. That would mean he would miss the first three games of the Highlanders' season.
If not, he should be available to play the Chiefs the next week in Invercargill.
Otago has other locking options in Ross Kennedy, Josh Bekhuis and Hayden Triggs, though no lock is in the Highlanders wider training squad.
Kennedy and Bekhuis are in their first year for the Highlanders, although Kennedy has played for the Hurricanes.
Triggs played for the Highlanders last year, and has the ability to play blindside.
