THE curse of the unluckiest sportsman in Wales has struck again for former Dragons and Newport ace Mike Poole whose rugby career is now in the balance.

The former cage fighter turned wing wizard is recovering in Cardiff’s Heath Hospital after undergoing surgery to stabilise a serious neck injury.

Poole, who left the Dragons in the summer and inked a one-year joint deal with the Scarlets and Wales’ Sevens squad, was badly injured playing for Llanelli against Swansea on December 28.

Typically for Poole, a man who seems to constantly suffer misfortune at just the wrong time, he was well on the way to a man of the match display, having scored two tries, before sustaining a fracture and dislocation to his neck at St Helens.

He was taken immediately to Morriston Hospital and then later transferred to the Heath hospital in Cardiff where he has undergone two operations.

Scarlets Head of Medical Andy Walker said: "Mike's injury was serious; the surgery undertaken has been successful and thankfully there has been no loss of function as a result of the injury,” he said.

He will undergo a further CT scan later to ascertain whether he will need one further operation; however to date he has progressed well, the injury has been stabilised and he is recovering.

"On behalf of Mike, his family and the Scarlets we would like to express our gratitude to all the staff and medical teams at both Morriston and Heath Hospitals for their excellent work as they continue to monitor him. He is expected to remain in hospital for another week.”

Simon Easterby, Scarlets Head Coach said: "Everyone at the Scarlets and especially the coaches and all our players send Mike and his family their very best wishes.

“We have been in close contact with the hospital teams, Mike and his family throughout and we are all pleased to see him making good progress.”

The 28-year old flyer was let go by the Dragons in May after his contract expired, following an injury-ravaged time with the Rodney Parade region.

Last season Poole sustained a broken left ankle against the Ospreys (in January), having already faced two lengthy spells on the sidelines after having reconstructive surgery in both knees.