Scotland blow as Kyle Steyn injury 'more serious' than thought

Scotland have been dealt another injury blow two weeks out from their opening autumn Test against Fiji with Glasgow wing Kyle Steyn suffering a setback in his recovery from an ankle issue.

The Warriors skipper started the season in prime form with three tries in their first two URC games before being forced off in the second half of their win over Benetton on 27 September.

Initially Glasgow expected Steyn to be out for no more than a couple of weeks and to be ready to return in time for their two matches in South Africa, starting with Saturday’s match against Sharks in Durban.

The 30-year-old was penciled in to start at Kings Park Stadium but had to withdraw on Thursday after a scan on arrival in South Africa.

“We got here on Tuesday and we then scanned him on Wednesday,” reported Glasgow head coach Franco Smith. “It looks like it’s more serious than we thought originally.

“It will then become a six to eight-week injury. But the confirmation will come on Monday, when it will be more clear. But for now, he's not available for this game and most likely not for next week (against the Stormers) either.”

If the latest prognosis is confirmed, Steyn, who has scored 13 tries in 23 Tests, would miss at least the first two of Scotland’s Autumn Nations Series fixtures against Fiji and South Africa, and possibly the final two against Portugal and Australia as well.

“Definitely, I think it will be a disappointment (for Steyn),” said Smith. “For now, we need more information from the doctors in Scotland next week and the week after. When we have a precise plan, we will obviously make sure that we get him back on the field as soon as possible.

“But I do not want to rule anything out for him at this moment. It's a subtle injury that we can treat conservatively. So let’s see how he progresses. But it looks like it's a little bit longer term than just two weeks.”

Scotland have already lost the services of Saracens flanker Andy Christie, who suffered an horrendous ankle dislocation against Harlequins last weekend which is likely to keep him out for most of the season.

Edinburgh second-row Sam Skinner is not expected to return from knee surgery until late November, while club-mate and fellow lock Glen Young has yet to play this season after a chest injury sustained on Scotland’s summer tour.

Head coach Gregor Townsend is also thin on tighthead props with Glasgow’s Murphy Walker out with a neck problem until at least late November and Edinburgh’s Javan Sebastian facing possible surgery on a shoulder AC joint issue.