Workington Town have been handed a massive blow with the news that talented young full-back Tee Ritson will be out for several months.

Ritson injured the posterior cruciate ligament in his knee on Newcastle Thunder’s artificial pitch.

Specialists have said the injury is inoperable and Ritson will have to have a brace fitted before going through several months of rehabilitation.

“It looks like we are going to miss Tee for a large proportion of the season,” said Town’s director of rugby Les Ashe.

“It is a huge blow both for Tee and the club, and he is pretty cut up with how it happened.

“It appeared to be pretty innocuous at first on the 4G field at Newcastle, but it wasn’t good and got progressively worse.

“We had him checked out and the worst case scenario for us now is that he is out for several months.”

Town were then hit by two more injury blows surrounding new signing Phil Joseph and loan star Jack Higginson.

Joseph hurt his knee in the opening league clash against Newcastle and was also referred for a scan.

It showed he has a slight tear in his knee which will require a cleanout operation.

“It looks like Phil will be out for three to four weeks,” added Ashe.

“It happened in a game and is just one of those things we have to deal with. But it’s a shame because he is one of our most experienced players.”

On-loan Wigan Warriors youngster Jack Higginson is the third casualty. He also looks likely to sit out this Sunday’s league visit from Gloucestershire All Golds.

He has been sent by the Warriors for a scan on his hip after taking a knock in the win at Oxford.

“Obviously our squad has been cut down by the injuries which makes Dave Clark’s job harder,” said Ashe.

“Dave and his staff will have to find a team with the right balance. But it does give others an opportunity to step in.”