It's a big year World Cup-wise for him and the likelihood is that he will miss out on that Richard Cockerill on Geoff Parling

Leicester Tigers lock Geoff Parling has been ruled out for the rest of the season with knee ligament damage.

Parling returned to action after four months out with a neck injury in Friday's win over Harlequins - his first appearance of the season.

But, just two minutes after coming on as a replacement, Parling caught his studs in the turf and twisted his knee.

"It's a crying shame for us and for him," Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill told BBC Radio Leicester.

"It's horrendous for him first and foremost - and really bad news for us because we thought we were getting him back and he would really bolster our second row and forward options. It is a massive loss.

"We have to get him fit and well and the club have a very good track record for looking after players really well."

Cockerill was also mindful of the fact that the England international, who will undergo surgery in the next few days, is now likely to struggle to be fit enough to make next year's World Cup squad.

"It's a big year World Cup-wise for him," said Cockerill. "And the likelihood is that he will miss out on that now."

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