JOSH Hodgson will miss England’s World Cup bid after being ruled out for the rest of the NRL season with a knee injury.

And bosses believe putting the hooker under the knife is the right call, even though his club side, Canberra, admit he did not necessarily need the surgery.

Hooker Hodgson thought he had only suffered a minor problem in Canberra’s 26-6 opening day loss at North Queensland Cowboys.

But scans revealed a much more serious cruciate ligament issue, with the club – who made no mention of the World Cup – deeming it requires season-ending surgery.

Club doctor Greg Macleod said: “After further scans and diagnosis, the decision has been made that it’s the club’s duty of care to Josh for him to have an ACL reconstruction due to a partial tear in his ACL and associated injuries.

“Whilst the club and Josh were optimistic that the injury could be rehabbed without surgery, it is with much considered thought that surgery is the best option for Josh’s long-term health and rugby league career.”

Hodgson’s fate opens the door wider for Warrington’s Daryl Clark, Wigan’s Sam Powell and Leeds’ Kruise Leeming.

The 32-year-old former Hull FC and Hull KR man, who leaves the Raiders after this season, said: “It was probably the best I’ve felt this year in terms of my body.

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“I was feeling really fit and really fresh after a good pre-season with no internationals and no rehab. To do it in such a minor way and sustain such a big injury is really frustrating.

“It’s certainly not the way I wanted to finish up at Canberra. It means as much to me as my hometown club.”

An England Rugby League spokesman said: “It’s really disappointing news for both Josh and for England, and we wish him a speedy recovery.

“Josh’s health and career are the most important considerations and from the information we have been given the right decision has been made.”  

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