Out of the running: Gareth Owen could miss all of next season after suffering a knee injury

GARETH OWEN could miss the entire 2011-12 campaign after suffering “a substantial injury” in training.

The 22-year old, who can play at full-back, fly-half and centre, already has 50 appearances for the Ospreys under his belt, but he underwent surgery this week and faces another operation at a later date.

Head Physio Chris Towers explained: “Gareth underwent surgery on Thursday after he suffered a knee injury in training, It was a bit of a freak accident resulting in him twisting his knee, sustaining a substantial injury. As a result of this he will, in all likelihood, be out of action for the whole of the 2011-12 season.

“Thursday’s operation was the first part of what will be a two stage surgical procedure to repair the damage and then reconstruct the cruciate ligament.”