Kings loose-forward CJ Velleman has suffered yet another injury after tearing knee ligaments during a training session last week.

The 24-year-old had only recently returned to training from a leg injury when a freak incident last Friday ended his hopes of playing this season. Velleman was expected to be ready to play against Edinburgh on 4 January, but will now undergo surgery and then rehabilitate.

After a stellar breakthrough season in 2016, Velleman has suffered a succession of injuries that have impeded his career. He didn’t get a minute of action during the 2017 Vodacom Super Rugby season.

‘CJ was involved in a freak accident at training when he slipped and tore his ACL on his left knee,’ Kings head of athletic performance Wayne Taylor confirmed.

‘He and all of us in the team are disappointed. He has been working so hard on his recovery and was on the verge of making a comeback as he had already begun full training with the rest of the squad.’

Velleman had signed a three-year contract extension in May with the Port Elizabeth-based franchise, taking him through until 2022.

‘CJ is a very strong-willed individual and he still remains very positive,’ Taylor added.’ He is such a hard worker, who has worked hard on his recovery from his previous injuries and already has a positive mindset to bounce back from this one.

‘I have no doubt he will continue to work hard during his rehabilitation process to ensure he comes back stronger. We wish him well on his road to recovery.’

The Kings next face Connacht in Galway on Saturday, where they will be targeting their second successive away win after beating the Ospreys in Swansea three weeks ago.

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