ZANE Butler, the Kendal winger/full back, will miss the start of the new season, coming up when Leicester Lions visit on Saturday, September 5.

Butler has badly injured his left shoulder snowboarding back in New Zealand, putting him out of the opening fixtures in the National 2 North season.

He was due to fly in last week to make himself available for selection in Kendal's final warm-up match against Wharfedale at Mint Bridge on Saturday.

Butler was said to be "distraught" about injuring himself so close to the start of the new campaign.

Kendal club official Frank Jameson, who had been organising his flight back, said: "He thinks he has either torn or sprained his rotator cuff on his shoulder.

"If torn he will probably have to have a scan.

"We have advised him to get some specialist advice from a sports physiotherapist as soon as possible.

"Zane's words to me on Monday sum up his feelings - 'I am so gutted and fell I have let the side down.'"

Kendal face the stiffest of their three warm-up games when Wharfedale visit on Saturday (3pm) after beating Rossendale and losing to Morpeth - both from lower in the league pecking-order.

The fixture is the annual match between the sides played for the Peter Kremer Memorial Trophy, in memory of the late player and chief coach who died from cancer.