Bradford Bulls have confirmed that star forward Sam Burgess will be unavailable for England's World Cup campaign as he needs surgery on a shoulder injury.

Burgess will also miss the rest of the current Super League season because of the injury, which he suffered in a match against Huddersfield Giants earlier this month.

Bulls head coach Steve McNamara confirmed the injury was not the same shoulder problem that has dogged Burgess for the last couple of months, saying that damage to the anterior cruciate ligament (AC) was being managed successfully.

However, two scans on his opposite shoulder and a visit to the specialist revealed that the 19-year-old would risk further problems if he carried on playing this season.

"What I'd love Sam to do is carry on in Super League, hopefully help the Bulls win the competition, then go on and be a star of the World Cup," McNamara explained.

"He wants to do that too but we both realise what is right for him in this situation and with regards his long-term future.

"I would also like to make it clear that this shoulder injury isn't the one Sam's been playing on with for the last few months.

"That was in his other shoulder and has been a simple problem with his AC joint."

Burgess admitted the news is "really disappointing", but he said he is taking a philosophical view of the situation.

"What I wanted to do and what I know are right are two different things," he said.

"I'm doing the right one by going in for the op now as it needs doing.

"I also know I wouldn't have been able to play to my best or do myself justice if I'd have carried on and, this way, I'll be fully fit for 2009."
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