Down's All-Ireland football qualifier hopes have suffered a major blow with the news that defender Luke Howard is facing a nine-month injury layoff. The 22-year-old corner back underwent cruciate knee ligament surgery last week, having been previously told by medics that he had cartilage damage. "I was devastated when the specialist told me how bad the problem was. I went over to Darlington to see Mr Van Niekerk after undergoing an MRI scan at the Ulster Clinic, thinking that the surgery would be for a couple of small tears to the cartilage," he said. "But when the specialist assessed the knee, twisted both knees about to compare them, he told me that he believed the problem was more serious than just the cartilage. The scan showed a problem with the cruciate, and it turned out I needed a new cruciate to be constructed from tendons at the front of the kneecap. "I'm on crutches at the minute, will be for maybe the next week. Then I hope to begin the rehabilitation exercises in the gym." Ross Carr's side will bid to get their season back on track against London in the opening round of the All-Ireland qualifiers on Saturday, but they must do so without the Bryansford clubman. Tweet

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