RISING star Josh Williamson faces six to eight weeks on the sidelines having suffered a nasty facial injury in a fall at Leopardstown earlier this month.

The 18-year-old amateur rider underwent surgery in St James’s Hospital following the incident which left him with an eye wound, a cheekbone fracture and external skull fractures.

Speaking from home and in good spirits on Friday, Willamson said: “I’d like to thank Dr Richie Downey, Dr Jennifer Pugh, and the medical teams at Leopardstown, St Vincent’s and St James’s for all they did for me.

“And in particular, [consultant] Mr David McGoldrick, the maxillofacial surgeon in St James’s, has been brilliant. I am due to see him again next week.”

Williamson, who has ridden 13 winners on the track and had been due to ride at Cheltenham this week, will sit his Leaving Certificate exams in June.

He added: “Hopefully I can get back in time for Punchestown and at least I can study for my exams now.”