The Breakers have suffered a major setback in their Australian national basketball league campaign with American import Ben Woodside ruled out for a couple months with a serious foot injury.
Woodside was injured in overtime during last weeks win over Melbourne rupturing ligaments in his right foot and will be out for a minimum of six to eight weeks.
Ben Woodside will be missing from the Breakers lineup for up to eight weeks. Photo: Photosport
"It is not good news for Ben and right now we are all feeling for him. I guess everyone kind of knew when he suffered the injury that it was a relatively serious one, he was in a lot of pain and it was clear that he was going to be out for some time,' said coach Paul Henare.
The club has moved quickly to find an international replacement with Henare hoping to have another import on court by Friday night for the side's next game against Brisbane.
"Knowing that Ben was going to be out for a number of weeks we have already set the wheels in motion to find a replacement," said Henare.
"We have already had a response from our agent and are working through a number of options and believe we will sign a quality player.
"This league can be over before you blink an eye, we are already a quarter of the way through the season, every game is vital so we cannot waste any time in seeking a replacement."
Henare said Woodside was a major loss.
"Ben has quickly become one of the leaders in our group and the chemistry that he was building with the rest of the team was exactly what we expected when we signed him.
Woodside said the injury has come at the worst possible time.
"Just as we were finding our chemistry as a group, just when we were moving in the right direction and we were establishing a real understanding."
A decision on whether Woodside will remain with the club is yet to be made.
