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Aviva Premiership: Exeter Chiefs forward Tom Johnson requires surgery on neck injury

Image: Tom Johnson: ruled out of action for a further 10-12 weeks

Exeter Chiefs forward Tom Johnson has been ruled out for a further three months as he requires surgery on a neck injury.

The 32-year-old has not played since England’s summer tour of New Zealand and although it was hoped the injury would cure itself following intensive rehabilitation, this has not proved to be the case.

Johnson will undergo surgery next week and Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter is confident he will return “fitter and stronger”.

“It’s one of those awkward ones where there’s a balance between waiting to see if rehab sorts it out or operate and try to get some immediate results," said Baxter.

The consensus has been to get the operation done and give Tom the best chance to be good long-term, so we will do it now rather than wait and see.
Rob Baxter

“Having spoken to the surgeon, and then the surgeon having some debates with our medical staff, because it’s a relatively straightforward one about trimming a bit of bone to free up a nerve, the consensus has been to get the operation done and give Tom the best chance to be good long-term, so we will do it now rather than wait and see.

“Part of the consideration has been that Tom has had two or three seasons where he’s been on England tours so he’s had less proper pre-season time than the other guys.

"Doing it now ticks a few boxes in that it gives him an extended pre-season period and deals with his neck at the same time.”

Johnson has made 178 appearances and scored 27 tries for Exeter since joining the club from Coventry in 2007, and helped the club clinch promotion to the Aviva Premiership in 2009.

Although the surgery will rule him out of a number of Exeter’s Premiership and Rugby Championship Cup fixtures, as well as England’s autumn internationals, Baxter does not believe his spell on the sidelines will hamper his World Cup hopes.

“I don’t see any reason why he can’t play himself into contention for England,” said Baxter. “The important thing is to perform with quality and to do that you need to be fit, you need to be strong and you need to feel comfortable with your body.

“It all sounds a negative when you’re not playing, but this could work out to be a positive for Tom because he’ll be confident going into contact and feel fit, feel fresh and feel strong.”

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