Pocock suffers setback

Brumbies flank David Pocock will miss his side's Vodacom Super Rugby match against the Chiefs in New Plymouth on Friday due to an ankle injury.

Pocock suffered an ankle sprain during Friday's victory over the Reds and failed to train with the main squad on Monday. Having spent much of the last two seasons on the sidelines, Pocock is looking to make a swift return to playing action.

'Obviously it’s a disappointing outcome and not what I wanted, having spent a long time out. But it’s treatable and I know I’m in good hands here with the Brumbies medical team,' Pocock told the Brumbies website.

Pocock enjoyed a strong return for the Brumbies, and coach Stephen Larkham is hoping to have him back as soon as possible.

'It’s definitely a blow for Dave, having worked so hard to get back to full fitness and then to have played as well as he did on Friday,' he said. 'But it’s a long season, this is contact sport and these sorts of injuries are quite common. It’s in no way related to his knee and we are going to approach it week by week to see when he’s OK to play again.

'Dave has been positive about this setback and while he’d rather be on the flight to New Zealand with the team than rehabbing in a moonboot, we are optimistic he’ll be back soon.'

Photo: Stefan Postles/Getty Images