Neighbour was injured in the defeat by Featherstone in May

Gateshead Thunder have confirmed that full-back Kevin Neighbour will be out for the remainder of the 2009 Championship season with a knee injury.

Neighbour, 25, picked up the injury against Featherstone in April and club doctor Patrick Dissmann admitted the diagnosis is worse than first thought.

He said: "Kevin had a medial meniscus tear, had a arthroscopy yesterday and it confirmed our initial diagnosis.

"The anticipated rehabilitation is four months before he can return."

Neighbour had hoped to make a return ahead of the Challenge Cup quarter-final against St Helens at the end of May.

However, the Wallsend-born back is philosophical about the injury and is confident of resuming his career without further disruption.

We know all about Kevin as a player and his one of his main attributes is his resilience Thunder coach Steve McCormack

"It's a huge blow for me as I will not be able to perform for the rest of the reason.

"However, the good thing is that the surgery as been done at the earliest available opportunity and in turn allow me to play rugby league for longer."

For coach Steve McCormack the loss of one of Thunder's key three-quarters/full-backs is a blow, but he is hopeful of seeing Neighbour return for the 2010 campaign.

"Kevin will be a big miss for us for the rest of the season," he said.

"We know all about Kevin as a player and his one of his main attributes is his resilience, we know he'll be back at the earliest available opportunity."

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