Popular Gold Coast Titans forward Ryan James re-injures knee in training collision

The long-term playing future of Titans forward Ryan James appears clouded after today suffering a reoccurrence of the knee injury that prematurely ended his 2019 season.

THE long-term playing future of Titans forward Ryan James appears clouded after today suffering a reoccurrence of the knee injury that prematurely ended his 2019 season.

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In a major blow to Gold Coast’s hopes of climbing out of the NRL cellar, James appears destined for another extended period on the sideline following a collision to his repaired right knee while training at Cbus Super Stadium.

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While the 28-year-old was initially hopeful it would be only a minor setback, preliminary scans indicated a reoccurrence of the anterior cruciate ligament injury and he will now undergo further scans to determine the full extent of the damage.

Ryan James at pre-season training with the Titans in November. Picture: Jerad Williams

James, who held the Titans captaincy when he ruptured his ACL against Newcastle in Round 6 last season, was due to make his return to the field for the Indigenous side in this month’s NRL All-Stars match after fighting his way back from a second knee reconstruction.

Nicknamed Dark, he is the most capped player in Gold Coast’s squad and is a respected figure in the NRL community.

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“Further scans and testing will be required to get a more accurate picture around Ryan’s process from here as far as treatment, recovery and rehabilitation,” Titans head of performance and culture Mal Meninga said in a statement.

James has already undergone two knee reconstructions. Picture: Jerad Williams

“Everyone at the Titans shared Ryan’s pain today. He is obviously a hugely popular part of this club and earned even more respect with the positive way he applied himself to his recovery from the original injury last year, without ever once getting down or feeling sorry for himself.

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“We all desperately wanted Ryan to be back on the field and back to his best this season – a goal he had set himself, and deserved to achieve. This news is obviously devastating to Ryan and his family but also to his friends and colleagues here at the Titans.”