London Scottish winger Charlie Broughton fears a season-ending knee injury will see him lose out in the race to be National Division One’s leading try scorer this term.

The 24-year-old ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in the opening ten minutes of Saturday’s 59-22 defeat at Tynedale - a result that saw rivals Esher crowned champions.

Broughton has 20 scores to his name this season, but could yet see Esher fly-half David Slemen overhaul that mark with the Molesey Road side still to play five games - including bottom-side Manchester.

“I’m still top but it is pretty tight. I can only sit and hope really,” he said.

“I’m not so sure I’ll still be there at the end of the season, because Slemen scored six the last time Esher played Manchester and he is only six behind me now.

“Johannes Schmidt at Cambridge is not too far behind either and if my team mate David Howells has a very lucky two weeks he could still catch me.”

Broughton is the latest Scottish star to beat a path to the surgeon’s door, with scrum-half Owain Walbyoff having already gone under the knife for a similar problem and full-back Frankie Neale awaiting a knee operation.

The trio have been referred to the same specialist - who has worked with Manchester United striker Michael Owen among others - and the Exiles flier believes they are in safe hands.

“A lot of people have been quite negative saying I’ll never be the same, but I’ve done a lot of research and in theory the knee should be stronger than ever after surgery,” he added.

“It is a blow, but I’d rather do something like this now to give me the summer to get over it, rather than miss a season which could see us go up next year.

“The specialist has treated a lot of Premiership footballers and top rugby players so that gives you confidence. It is a case of working hard and making sure I don’t put on too much weight.”

Saturday’s result was the Scots’ heaviest defeat of a season that should still see them finish second in the table should they win their final two games. And Broughton is hoping the side has learnt its lesson.

“It was awful to watch. Simon Amor made the point that we are trying too hard to win games straight away,” he said.

“Providing we take our time and gradually exert our dominance in the final two games we should be alright.”

Scottish’s final two games: Apr 17 Blackheath (h), 24 Sedgley Park (a).