WALES Grand Slam star Tom Shanklin last night admitted for the first time his rugby career is in jeopardy - at the age of just 26.
Paul Abbandonato & Simon Thomas, Western Mail

The popular international made the gloomy assessment about his playing future as he spoke about the knee injury which forced him home early from the British Lions tour to New Zealand.

Shanklin has already had surgery on the knee twice. He faces another hospital scan on Monday. The Cardiff Blues centre, who was outstanding in the Six Nations when he proved his world-class credentials, acknowledges there is a "small chance" he may not play top-flight rugby again as the knee is causing him such a problem.A leading surgeon confirmed to the Western Mail that the type of injury Shanklin, left, is suffering from can be career-threatening and likened it to a car tyre which gets badly worn.The star's problem is with the hyaline cartilage in his right knee - the joint which holds it together.

Shanklin admitted, "There is a small chance it could be career threatening. At the moment it's best to rest. I didn't give the injury enough time to rest because I wanted to go on the Lions tour, so it got progressively worse. I'm not setting a comeback date. I'd rather look at the bigger picture of playing rugby again."

If Shanklin is forced to quit it would be a massive personal blow for a player at the peak of his career and a huge loss to both club and country.

MIKE RUDDOCK last night admitted it would be a "sporting tragedy" if Tom Shanklin's worst fears are realised and he never plays rugby again. Ruddock says everyone within the Welsh camp is "hoping desperately" the Grand Slam star will recover from his career-threatening knee injury.And he insists Wales will wait "as much time as it takes" for the 26-year-old Blues centre to get back out on the field.But Ruddock admits there is always a fear of the worst-case scenario with a problem as bad as Shanklin's.

"Obviously there is a fear," said Ruddock. "It's like any significant injury. There's always a fear that you won't come back.
"We are desperately hoping that won't be case with Tom and that he will be able to return to the rugby field. Tragedy is an overused word in sport, but it would be a real sporting tragedy if he can never play again.He's a great player, who was a key figure in our success last season, and he's a top person too. So we are thinking of him and keeping our fingers crossed."

Ruddock continued, "Ultimately, Tom is doing the right thing, which is taking a complete rest, letting it settle down and then seeing what happens.There is always a risk, isn't there, with injuries and a worst-case scenario? But we've got to be optimistic in rugby. Tom is an optimistic man, a hugely committed person and I'm sure with the medical staff he'll make every effort to get himself right to play again. We will wait for him, however much time it takes, and I'm sure the Blues will do likewise."

Shanklin badly injured his knee playing for the Blues against Ulster in a Celtic League clash in April.

After undergoing surgery, he was able to take his place on the Lions tour of New Zealand, but had to come home early after playing just three games. Shanklin had further surgery on his return to Wales, but the knee flared up again following his only outing this season, for the Blues against Wasps in the Powergen Cup in October.Shanklin faces another scan next week where he will get a better idea of what the future holds for him.Shanklin admitted there was a "small chance" he would not play again, but was adamant he was not giving up.

"I have to remain in a positive frame of mind. I'm sure that helps the healing process," said Shanklin."We've talked about me making a comeback in February, but I'm not sure if I will be fit enough to play then.I'm not setting targets, I'd rather look at the bigger picture of playing rugby again."

Shanklin went on, "I'm waiting to have a scan next week. If there are no hot spots on my knee, I can continue training, otherwise it's more rest. There are a few other options like cartilage replacements, but they do not have a 100 per cent success rate and that would be a last resort."

Shanklin's injury is with his hyaline cartilage, the joint at the sliding end of the bones in the knee.In a nutshell, the injury means a loss of joint surface. It is not to be confused with run-of-the-mill meniscus cartilage problems, which are easily treated on a daily basis.A top surgeon we spoke to in confidence likened a leading sportsman's hyaline cartilage problem to a car tyre which gets badly worn."It's the loss of joint surface in the knee. As a consequence, you get constant pain which can't be relieved," explained the surgeon.

Only one Welsh rugby player has had his knee successfully reconstructed with the type of injury Shanklin has. He was Jonathan Westwood, a full-back, who played for Newbridge and Wales B in the 1980s. Everyone in Welsh rugby will be keeping their fingers crossed for Shanklin. He was one of the unsung men behind the Grand Slam success and was sorely missed during the autumn internationals. A Blues spokesman said, "We just hope that Tom can recover from his injury and that he'll be back out on the pitch as soon as possible."

All at Pontypridd RFC and teamponty.net wish Tom a full and speedy recovery.

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