damaged right knee just as the new season is about to begin.

Morbey, a member of Bermuda's record breaking 4X100 metre freestyle relay team along with Ian Raynor, Geri Mewett and Mike Cash, recently incurred the injury -- believed to be a partially torn cartilage -- while playing rugby for local side Mariners in a Second XV match against Renegades.

The 22-year-old Morbey is no stranger to this sort of misfortune, having had the same knee reconstructed twice previously.

"I guess I'm sort of used to it, I've had problems with it before,'' said Morbey, still unable to put much weight on the leg.

"I'm not down about it...I'm just sad I can't go out and play rugby.

"At least I got off from the (Bermuda) Regiment for eight weeks, so there is a bit of a silver lining.'' A cycle accident five years ago brought about the first rebuilding job and a year later a torn ligament, while abroad at school, was cause for another.

Morbey has been seeing a physiotherapist and next Wednesday will be examined by Dr. Colin Cooper to further assess the damage.

Nonetheless, Morbey said that he'll be in the pool early next week, but if an operation takes place he may be forced to the sidelines for at least two weeks.

"I'll still be able to continue doing dry land training with weights at the gym, so it won't hurt me there.

"Right now, not being able to exert a lot of pressure on the knee, it's the dives and turns that are most affected.'' Last year Morbey teamed with the aforementioned trio to make up the Island's first swim relay team to compete at the Olympic Games.

Ironically they almost didn't go as they only qualified -- and set a Bermuda record -- at the last qualifying meet.

CRAIG MORBEY.