Injured Australian centre Marc Stcherbina will return to Britain on Thursday after undergoing neck surgery in France.

Stcherbina was hurt during a head-on tackle while playing for Welsh club Newport Gwent Dragons in a Heineken Cup match against Toulouse on Saturday.

A Dragons spokeswoman said the 32-year-old would travel to Bristol airport, in south-west England, via air ambulance and he would then be transferred to a private hospital nearby.

"His spirits are high, he's left some great messages for the players, telling them to concentrate on winning the game on Saturday," the spokeswoman said.

"They (medical staff) have made a cast for his head and neck, for him to travel in."

No further details were available on Stcherbina's condition.

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