The injury jinx which dogged Dan Solomi for much of 2013 has struck again and brought his season to a premature end.

The popular Wharfedale flanker had to undergo surgery on Christmas Eve after tearing a bicep in his team’s 36-26 home defeat by Fylde.

Solomi only returned to the side in November after suffering a broken hand in pre-season.

Coach Jon Feeley said: “Dan is devastated. He has no luck with injuries.

“Last season he had a knee problem, then the broken hand in the summer, and now this bicep injury. I really feel for him because he has been playing well.”

The loss of Solomi follows the confirmation that hooker Ian Larkin’s latest ankle injury will sideline him for four weeks.

Feeley, who put his squad through a punishing training session on Monday morning “just in case they had had too much Christmas dinner,” also has an injury concern over scrum half Phil Woodhead.

He suffered a groin strain against Fylde and if he is not 100 per cent Matt Dudman will start in Saturday’s SSE National League One away game at Loughborough Students.

Wharfedale’s selectors, who put off their weekly meeting until tonight, will be boosted by the return of powerful No.8 Rob Baldwin.

Flanker Chris Howick, who impressed Feeley when he played for the Foresters in their 12-12 draw with North Ribblesdale on Boxing Day, is in contention for a place on the bench.

Wharfedale will be looking to avenge the 29-26 defeat they suffered at home to Loughborough in September.

“Let’s hope the students have enjoyed their Christmas a little too much and we can take advantage,” added Feeley.