WORKINGTON TOWN forward Caine Barnes has retired from rugby league following a serious back injury.
The 26-year-old ruptured a disc in his lower back during Workington’s Good Friday derby win against Whitehaven last April.
Barnes has revealed that this resulted in cauda equina syndrome, a rare spinal emergency in which nerves become severely compressed.
He underwent urgent surgery, without which he could have lost the ability to walk.
His recovery is still ongoing and he has made the decision to finish his career, most of which has been spent with Workington.
After time in Wigan Warriors’ academy, he returned to his hometown club, first on loan in 2018 and then permanently the following campaign.
Barnes scored 27 tries in 83 appearances for Town, including being a key figure in their League One promotion side of 2021.
“I underwent emergency surgery after losing sensation and use of my left leg,” he explained.
“The operation was successful, and I am now seven months on from the injury.
“While I continue to recover, nerve injuries take time to heal, and I am not yet fully recovered, though progress is slowly improving.
“This injury has been one of the most physically and mentally challenging things I’ve ever faced in my life.
“Being told that, without surgery, I may never walk again or could lose the use of the lower half of my body put everything into perspective.
“After a bit of consideration, I have come to the decision to retire from professional rugby league.
“Although this isn’t how I expected my playing career to end, I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had and now look ahead to the next chapter.”
Workington described Barnes as: “A very talented athlete who was a competitor on and off the field and a much-loved team-mate to many.
“An injury like this to such a fit and talented sportsman is cruel. We’d like to put on record our thanks to Caine for representing our club with such dedication and wish him and his lovely family well for the future.”