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Blow for Force with Alcock out

Blow for Force with Alcock out

Western Force's forward stocks have taken a hit with dynamic flanker Chris Alcock out for the rest of the season with shoulder damage.

Alcock injured the shoulder after coming off the bench for just 12 minutes in the opening game against the Waratahs, but he went on to play a full 80 minutes the following week against the Brumbies.

Alcock has had surgery and is out for at least 16 weeks.

The Force have already lost Hugh McMeniman for 10 weeks after he broke his left collarbone in the win against the Chiefs last weekend.

Wallabies No.8 Ben McCalman will be available for next Saturday's clash with the Queensland Reds in Brisbane after serving a two-week suspension for a lifting tackle against the Highlanders.

The Force will also have young flanker Angus Cottrell and South African recruit Brynard Stander available.

Meanwhile, the Force may have to find an extra $250,000 to pay the five players in their extended playing squad next year if the Australian Rugby Union scraps its funding of the program.

The news comes after the Force this week announced an $857,000 loss for 2013, taking their losses to more than $1 million in the past two years.

A number of players have come through the extended playing squad system into Super Rugby, but if the Force can't afford to finance the program they may be forced to cut their squad to 30.

Force CEO Mark Sinderberry said there was still confusion about the ARU's intentions.

"On one hand we have been told the money is being taken away but we have also been told that it will remain. It will require further investigation," he said.