The fast bowler hurt his back last weekend, bowling against Wagga City, and has a pinched nerve in his lower back.

The injury will force him out of training for at least two weeks and the club decided it wasn’t worth risking Ryan’s health in the final match.

Ryan’s absence will leave a big hole in the Colts’ bowling attack. The club has struggled for players this season after a mass exodus in the winter.

Ryan and fellow opening bowler Scott McLachlan have been only two fast bowlers to feature prominently this season. Spin has been the Colts main bowling option.

The injury will also leave Kooringal one bowler short this week against the Cats as they look to defend just 108 runs. A substitute fielder can be used during the game but cannot bowl or bat.

Ryan said it was a disappointing way to end the season.

“I was just starting to enjoy it, but to bend my back is almost impossible without pain,” he said.

“I tweaked it against RSL in the last round and I thought it was okay to go again but I pushed too hard.

“I felt it go when I bowled my first ball, I managed to finish the over and stay on the field but I could hardly walk after.”

Ryan saw a physiotherapist during the week and received the bad news.

Kooringal will now have to rely heavily on McLachlan and medium-pacer Adam Shephard to bowl the majority of overs.

Spinners Anthony Dutton, Ray Stephens and Ben Webster will also be used.

Ryan said the injury would end his cricket season but hoped it wouldn’t impact on his football season.

The Northern Jets defender said he planned to begin training when his back was ready.

Fol low @HiggoDAsport