Evans is helped from the Millennium Stadium pitch after being injured

Wales lock Ian Evans will miss the rest of the season after suffering a knee ligament injury in Saturday's 29-9 loss to New Zealand in Cardiff.

A scan confirmed that the Osprey, who has won 16 caps, will be sidelined for between six and nine months.

The 24-year-old will miss Wales' Six Nations games, as well as the Ospreys' Heineken Cup campaign.

He has a slim chance of making Wales' North America tour in May but whatever Lions hopes he had may have ended.

Wales team manager Alan Phillips confirmed the severity of Evans' injury.

"There is cruciate damage and we are looking at an operation in the next couple of weeks, and then between six and nine months (out) after that," said Phillips.

606: DEBATE How big a blow is Evans' injury?

"It is quite a blow for us. He was starting to play well, so it is very disappointing for him."

Evans was injured in the build-up to Ma'a Nonu's decisive try in the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

The Wales forward limped off in the second half as All Blacks fly-half Dan Carter lined up the conversion, Evans being replaced by Dragons forward Luke Charteris.

Evans was immediately rushed to hospital for a scan on his knee problem.

The South Africa-born forward was sidelined for almost 10 months with a shoulder injury in December 2006 and a second long-term injury is a huge setback for the player.

Ian Gough is the leading choice to fill the gap in the Ospreys' second row, while the same player and Charteris are likely to vie for Evans' Wales shirt.

Wales coach Warren Gatland will name his side to face Australia at 1300 GMT on Tuesday.

The Ospreys' next Heineken Cup pool clash is against Treviso on 6 December.

Fellow Wales stars Gavin Henson, Mike Phillips, Jonathan Thomas, Huw Bennett and Duncan Jones are also doubtful for that clash with the Italians.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version