Newcastle Falcons rocked by Jeremy Manning’s KO

Jun 5 2011 by Mark Smith, Sunday Sun

NEWCASTLE Falcons have been dealt a major blow with the news that Jeremy Manning will miss the first month of the new Aviva Premiership season.

The Kiwi full-back has undergone a hip operation, and is not expected to be fully fit until October.

Head coach Alan Tait revealed: “Jeremy went in for his operation last week, and the surgeons had to do a fair bit of work in there.

“Once they got it open there was a lot more to do than they initially thought, and he will now be out for the first few games of the new season.

“It’s obviously a blow for us, but we need to make sure he is absolutely right before we bring him back.”

Manning had been one of the Falcons’ major plus points last season, starring at the back despite his side struggling to a second-bottom league finish.

The ex-Munster back touched down four tries in his 23 appearances, also offering fly-half cover to star man Jimmy Gopperth.