Hayden Parker in action during a Highlanders trial match against the Waratahs in Queenstown last year. Photo Getty

Marty Banks has been confirmed as a Highlander for 2017, as injury sidelines Hayden Parker.

Banks released a statement today that he has signed with the Highlanders for the 2017 Super Rugby season as a replacement player for the injured Hayden Parker.

Marty Banks

“I can confirm that I will be returning to the Highlanders for this super season, unfortunately my old mate Hayden Parker has injured himself so an unexpected opportunity has opened up.

''I will be joining [Italian club] Treviso at the end of the super season and I would like to thank Treviso for their understanding, but it is better for me that I am in NZ over the next few months” Banks said.

Banks said personal circumstances meant he could not join Treviso last year.

Earlier the Highlanders had released a statement confirming Parker was out for the next few months because of a knee injury.

The Highlanders said first five-eighth Parker ruptured the ACL in his right knee during preseason training. The injury will require months of rehab.

Parker missed most of the 2016 season with the same type of injury and had only just returned to fulltime training in the past few weeks.

Highlanders coach Tony Brown said the team was disappointed for Parker.

"Obviously we are all pretty gutted for Hayden; he has worked so hard to get back to fitness and was really looking forward to the season. We wish him well with his rehab”.

Parker debuted for the Highlanders in 2013 and has scored 86 points for the club in 30 games.