Josh Hodgson to be sidelined for nine months

England hooker Josh Hodgson has been ruled out of the Rugby League World Cup final with a knee injury and is likely to miss the bulk of the 2018 NRL season with Canberra.

Hodgson only last week inked a new four-year deal with the Raiders to take him through to the end of the 2022 season.

The English team released a short statement confirming the injury.

Read the statement below:

England hooker Josh Hodgson has today been ruled out of playing in the Rugby League World Cup final on Saturday, December 2.

Hodgson injured his knee during the semi-final victory over Tonga at Mount Smart Stadium on Saturday.

An MRI scan the following day (Sunday, November 26) revealed he had suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Hodgson will now return to Canberra for a specialist review with a view to operate.