Harlequins flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis has been ruled out for at least two months after undergoing throat surgery on Tuesday.

Catrakilis sustained a fractured bone when he took a shoulder to the throat from an opponent during Harlequins’ Premiership match against Gloucester on 9 September. It was later revealed that he stopped breathing for several seconds and was placed on an oxygen mask before being rushed to hospital.

While Harlequins confirmed at the time that surgery was not required, Catrakilis’ breathing had since been affected by a piece of skin impeding his windpipe and an operation was needed.

‘Demetri had an operation to lift some skin that is causing a slight blockage in his breathing. They were hoping this would clear naturally, but used surgery to sort it out and then he will be having a few weeks of complete rest,’ said Harlequins director of rugby John Kingston.

‘He will then be all clear to start building up to be ready to go by Christmas. In many ways the small fractured bone he suffered was less of a concern – it was about making sure that the breathing was OK for an elite athlete.’

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