The Sydney Roosters’ pre-season preparations have suffered a major hit with coach Trent Robinson confirming young gun centre Billy Smith suffered an ACL injury on Monday.

Smith, the rookie slated to get first crack at the left centre position vacated by Latrell Mitchell, was engaged in a regulation training drill when some contact with right centre Joey Manu caused the injury.

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Round 19

Smith initially bounced back up and even continued in the gym later in the day before the Roosters realised the seriousness of the injury.

It’s a cruel twist for the 20-year-old who scored nine tries in six matches in the Canterbury Cup last year before making his NRL debut in round 23 against St George Illawarra and scoring a try.

“It’s Billy’s other knee and it’s an ACL,” Robinson said.

“One of the doctors was telling me a stat where once you suffer one ACL injury you’re then a 25 per cent chance of doing the other knee inside two years if you’re under 21.

“We’re all feeling for Billy, there was a big opportunity there for him but the type of person he is he’ll fight back from this.”

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The Roosters have privately been talking up Smith as an NRL prospect for the last 12 months and had big aspirations for his development this year.

The Roosters were expected to play Smith at left centre during the World Club Challenge against St Helens in the UK in February.

The back-to-back premiers were playing a sponsors golf day at NSW golf club on Tuesday afternoon before Robinson confirmed Smith’s injury Tuesday night.

Smith will consult a surgeon on Wednesday.

Fortuitously for the Roosters, they boast strong depth in terms of outside backs with former Kangaroo and NSW State of Origin flyer Brett Morris a more than capable option in the centres.

Morris made his Sydney Roosters debut at left centre in the World Club Challenge victory over Wigan last year, scoring a hat-trick of tries in the opening half.

English winger Ryan Hall is also on target to return to training soon after dislocating his knee cap during a Test match at the end of last year.

Morris and Hall are a more-than-adequate combination with Robinson confirming at this stage the club would not be entering the open market for a replacement.

Roosters Mr Fix-It Mitch Aubusson is another option as cover in the centres.

If the Roosters did decide to enter the market place for an alternative outside back option, South Sydney winger Alex Johnston may fit the bill.

Johnston is currently on the outer at South Sydney following the signing of Roosters discard Latrell Mitchell.