RONNY Kynes only went under the knife two days ago but that won’t stop him from being at Bargoed Park tomorrow to support his Ebbw Vale side’s bid for back-to-back league wins.

The Steelmen skipper is out for the rest of the season after sustaining a serious foot injury in last Friday’s Principality Premiership defeat of Carmarthen Quins.

Club doctor Rhys Thomas operated on the openside on Wednesday morning, some 72 hours before Ebbw travel to Bargoed to take on the Bulls in a Gwent derby (kick-off 2.30pm).

However, the back-rower, who recently made his 200th appearance for the Eugene Cross Park outfit, will be there to provide encouragement from the sidelines.

“Bargoed is a club quite close to where I live, and I know a lot of the boys there, so I would have loved to play,” he said.

“I’ll be there with the fans, I wouldn’t miss any games, and I’m club captain so I’ll do what I can to help.”

As for the remainder of the 2018-19 campaign, he added: “I want to get involved in some capacity, whether it’s being the water boy or going on with the kicking tee.”

Kynes admits the injury – a couple of small fractures and ligament damage – was initially hard to take, particularly as he had managed to avoid anything similar up until it happened.

“I’m devastated because it’s such a big season,” he said. “I can count on two hands the number of games I’ve missed through injury in the last 10 years.

“I did beat myself up about it but it’s sport and these things happen, and I’ve got to get my head around that.

“You never think it’s going to happen to you but I’m sure I’ll come back stronger.

“The initial thinking is that I’ll be back for pre- season – but I’d love to prove Rhys wrong and get back before the end of the season.”

He continued: “We’d be lost without Rhys Thomas, we’re very fortunate to have him.

“I’ve never needed him in the past, but I know he’s looked after a lot of the boys.”

Self-employed bricklayer Kynes is also set for a spell away from his day job, although it does mean he will get to spend more time with nine-month-old son Archie.

“I’m going to have a couple of weeks off work as I’ll be in a cast,” he said. “I’m leaving it to my apprentice to run the show for now.

“I’m a bit nervous leaving him in charge, but I’m sure it’s in safe hands.

“It’s difficult when you’re self-employed and Christmas is around the corner – I’d go back to work tomorrow if I could.

“A positive to come from this is that I will get to see a lot more of Archie.”