HAL Luscombe is out for the rest of this season and won't be available for Wales' Tests in America and Canada in June.

The Newport Gwent Dragons threequarter was informed yesterday after seeking a second opinion that he would need an operation on his injured knee.

Reports earlier in the week that he would need the operation and would be out for the rest of the season were premature, but the bad news was confirmed yesterday.

Luscombe had a plate inserted in a knee a few years ago and it has caused him problems again this season.

That resulted in him missing matches in the first part of the season for the Dragons and Wales, but a knock-on effect of the injury meant he went down with hamstring trouble as well after Christmas.

Though he started the Six Nations campaign with Wales he couldn't finish it, and as soon as the Grand Slam winning run was over he sought a second opinion.

Now he will enter hospital initially for an exploratory operation to discover the extent of the injury and what course of action is needed next.

It means Luscombe will miss the Dragons' remaining two league games against Edinburgh and Connacht and however many games they play in the Celtic Cup competition.

And he will also miss Wales' tour to North America in June. But he aims to be back for pre-season training later in the summer ready for the off again in September.