LUCKLESS Wests Tigers NRL playmaker Tim Moltzen has suffered a suspected serious knee injury at a pre-season training session.
Moltzen was left writhing in pain after suffering the injury in innocuous circumstances and was transported from the training paddock in an ambulance and taken to hospital for treatment and scans.
The 25-year-old's immediate playing future would appear in doubt, given it's the same left knee he's ruptured twice already in his young career, including earlier this year.
Club staff said it was too early to tell the extent of the damage, and coach Mick Potter says he's hopeful Moltzen hasn't done his ACL or dislocated his knee.
But regardless of the outcome, it shapes as a devastating blow for Moltzen, who has had his promising career held back by repeated injury problems, including in the season just gone, when he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in round seven against Brisbane.
"Tim just went down and there was no real contact... we had to call an ambulance and get him to hospital pretty quickly," said Potter.
"We want to try and keep it low key and respect the kid's privacy. He's gone through a tough time with injury and it's unfortunate you guys (the media) were here to see it. He needs a bit of privacy to get it settled.
"He's in a lot of pain." The injury couldn't have come at a worse time for the Tigers either, with their playmaking stocks already tested by the departure of Benji Marshall in the off-season.
Coach Potter had identified Moltzen as a prime candidate to partner boom rookie Luke Brooks in the halves for 2014.
The Wests Tigers were training at St Lukes Park in Concord, with their usual training facility, Concord Oval, unavailable due to a makeover of the playing surface.
However, Potter said the Tigers usually use St Lukes in the off-season and was adamant there's nothing wrong with the playing surface.
Television cameras were told to leave the scene as teammates and medical staff surrounded Moltzen who was lying on his back in extreme pain after suffering the injury.
Moltzen was a star of the inaugural under 20s competition and has been one of the most promising players to come through the Wests Tigers.
However, knee injuries have curtailed his development.
Moltzen ruptured his ACL in 2010 against North Queensland in Townsville, but was picked by then NSW Origin coach Ricky Stuart in a "Blues in waiting squad" in the 2011 pre-season.
It took the fullback/half utility a long time to find his form again before his 2013 season season injury.
The Tigers have a very inexperienced side for next season, particularly in the halves.
Prop Aaron Woods said teammates were disappointed for Moltzen but is confident he will make another comeback.
"He's a tough customer, Moltzy. He knows what he has to do. It'd be hard at first but once he rips into his rehab he'll be right. I'll back him 100 per cent," said Woods.
