Lions sweating over another loose forward injury

NEWS: The Lions, desperate to end their winless streak, was dealt another cruel blow on Tuesday.

Their substantial injury list got a new addition, with loose forward Francke Horn doubtful for the Rainbow Cop SA Round Four visit by the table-topping Bulls this coming Saturday.

Horn rolled his ankle during the heartbreaking 37-39 injury-time loss to the Stormers this past weekend.

"He will be observed by the medical team to determine the extent of the injury," the Lions said in a social media post.

Horn started at No.8 this past weekend and along with Vincent Tshituka and MJ Pelser played a big role in taking the team to the brink of their first win in the competition.

Should he be ruled out it will further deplete a pack that recent lost burly lock Wilhelm van der Sluys - sidelined for six months with a shoulder injury.

The good news is that seasoned loose forward Roelof Smit could be back in the selection frame this week, the injury-prone Springbok having been sidelined with a knee injury since February.

The Lions also gave an update on the injury status of versatile backline star Tiaan Swanepoel.

The 24-year-old, who can play fullback and flyhalf, suffered a fractured right fibula during his team’s 9-24 defeat to the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld in Round Week.

Having been in a cast for the past fortnight, he has another four weeks in the stabilising structure.

"After the cast [comes off] I have three weeks of rehabilitation," Swanepoel said.

He said he misses playing with the team and was hopeful of a "speedy recovery".

Swanepoel added that he is doing 'upper body' work while out of commission and getting some "rest and recuperation".

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