Otago first five-eighth Chris Noakes is out of the opening ITM Cup game against Counties-Manukau and his immediate playing future is in doubt.
Noakes (25) rolled an ankle at training at Logan Park yesterday.
He was taken to Dunedin Hospital for an X-ray and, although it showed there was no break, the ankle was considerably swollen.
Otago coach Phil Mooney said more would be known in the next couple of days but Noakes was out for this Saturday and it would be most probably be some weeks before he could play again.
Noakes did some running on Monday and then joined team practice yesterday only to be felled when he was caught up in a tackle.
The first five-eighth had only just come back from a quadricep injury which had prevented him playing in the club final for University A.
He suffered that injury when practising kicking in the warm-up before a club game in late June.
Mooney said it was a blow to the team but injuries were part and parcel of the game, and the side just had to get on with it.
Pirates first five-eighth Glenn Dickson has started the two warm-up games and will wear the No 10 jersey in the match against Counties-Manukau.
He filled the position last year after Noakes was felled at a collision at training in early September.
He injured his thigh, and missed the rest of the season.
