Cruciate fears for Kilkenny's Michael Rice

There are fears in Kilkenny that midfielder Michael Rice has suffered a cruciate ligament injury to his knee.

Nothing has been confirmed by Kilkenny GAA yet, but it is believed that the Carrickshock hurler sustained the injury at a training camp with the county hurling team last weekend at Carton House.

Further tests are expected later this week to determine the extent of the injury.

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Regardless of the severity of the injury, Rice will definitely miss Kilkenny's Leinster Senior Hurling Championship opener against Offaly on Saturday evening at Nowlan Park.

Kilkenny begin their 2014 championship campaign against the Faithful County in three days' time, and manager Brian Cody is without a number of key players.

As well as Rice, Henry Shefflin and Michael Fennelly are both considered doubtful for the game. Shefflin is still working his way back to fitness after a recent stress fracture to his foot, while Fennelly suffered a leg injury recently in a challenge game.

Richie Power will also miss out due to a hamstring injury.

The news for Rice is particularly unfortunate given his injury history. The 30-year-old sustained a severe hand injury in the 2012 All-Ireland semi-final against Tipperary, an injury which severely disrupted his year in 2013. This latest injury, if as bad as feared, would be a major blow to the two-time All Star.

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