Louis Rees-Zammit suffers fresh injury setback in blow to Bristol's play-off hopes

Wales and Bristol star Louis Rees-Zammit has been sidelined for a third time this season, after suffering a sprained knee in training.

Bristol haven’t specified how long the full-back/wing will be out for, but a medical update issued on Thursday night said he would ‘return to action in the coming weeks.’

The 25-year-old misses tonight’s West Country derby against Gloucester in Round 13 of the Gallagher PREM, with Rich Lane lining up at full-back in his place.

Rees-Zammit also looks certain to miss the trip to Newcastle a week today, which Bristol must also win if they want to maintain their challenge for a place in the end-of-season play-offs. The Bears are currently fifth, seven points behind Exeter, who occupy the last of the play-off places.

In his first season back in rugby after trying his hand in the NFL, Rees-Zammit has managed six tries in 13 appearances for the Bears in all competitions, despite spending a month out with a toe injury and then a further fortnight because of a head knock.

Bristol have also confirmed that former captain and back-rower, Steven Luatua, who recently signed a new one-year deal, would be sidelined until May after sustaining a hamstring injury during the Investec Champions Cup tie against Toulouse.

Meanwhile, Argentina international Santiago Grondona has a minor calf injury, and will return to action at the end of the month.