The injury crisis at the Western Force has deepened, with Ben Daley likely to miss the remainder of the Super Rugby season with a knee injury.
Scans are yet to confirm the severity of Daley's injury but he has not travelled with the team to South Africa as they prepare to face the Sharks in Durban.
Force officials aren't hopeful of a positive outcome, which is devastating news for one of the true nice guys in Australian rugby.
The injury-plagued prop is now one of 11 Force players that would be in the match day 23 - if not the starting XV - should they be fit.
The list of names currently injured is staggering.
Dane Haylett-Petty (hamstring), Ben McCalman (shoulder), Adam Coleman (calf), Richie Arnold (calf), Chance Peni (groin), Ryan Louwrens (knee), Luke Morahan (cheekbone), Jermaine Ainsley (knee), Angus Cottrell (knee), Matt Philip (foot) and Michael Ruru (ankle) are all unavailable at present, though Coleman and Arnold are a chance to return this weekend.
The knee injury is Daley's latest serious blow, having battled through several injury-filled years in his time at the Reds.
Consistent shoulder problems hindered his game time last year, having overcome a significant head injury suffered when he slipped and fell while doing squats at Ballymore.
The Force take on the Sharks in Durban on Saturday night, kicking off at 11:05pm, broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS.
