Edinburgh ’ s European Challenge Cup hopes have been dealt a huge blow after Scotland international centre Matt Scott was ruled out until at least the end of the season . The 25-times-capped centre is now also a doubt for September ’ s World Cup after undergoing an operation on his left shoulder for the second time in a year . He had played a major role in Edinburgh ’ s run to the European Challenge Cup semi-final where they play Newport Gwent Dragons at BT Murrayfield on Friday . Scott hasn ’ t played since picking up his latest injury on Scotland duty against Ireland in the final game of the Six Nations last month . With Glasgow ’ s Alex Dunbar also a major fitness doubt for the World Cup , Scott ’ s injury could leave Scotland coach Vern Cotter with a big gap to fill at centre . Mark Bennett of Glasgow will be first choice for outside-centre but it could be a fight between Peter Horne of Warriors and Duncan Taylor of Saracens , who missed the Six Nations through injury , for the inside-centre jersey . Scotland player Matt Scott in action during the RBS Six Nations match between against Ireland at Murrayfield . The Edinburgh medical staff had hoped that Scott ’ s shoulder would heal naturally but have decided further surgery is required as there has been no improvement over the last three weeks . A club spokeswoman said : ‘ It had been hoped that Matt would be able to manage his injury but , following consultation with specialists at Spire Murrayfield Hospital , the decision to perform an investigative arthroscopy was taken . ‘ This resulted in him requiring a further surgical procedure to help deal with his shoulder complaints . ‘ Matt will continue his rehabilitation programme with the Edinburgh Rugby medical team and won ’ t play again this season. ’ Scott was putting a brave face on having his season cut short by this latest injury blow . In a tweet , the Scotland and Edinburgh centre said : ‘ Gutted that my season is over already after getting surgery . ‘ Brings an end to a frustrating year for me but positive about next few months. ’ Edinburgh are short of cover in the centre positions and will now rely on New Zealander Phil Burleigh and South African Andries Strauss — who both started in the quarter-final away win over London Irish in the absence of Scott — from now until the end of the season . Scott went under the knife last week but he has now been told he will have to be operated on again . Kiwi Sam Beard is the only other experienced centre at the club . To add to their woes , Edinburgh also have a major doubt over David Denton , who was forced off with a head knock in the 34-3 Pro12 loss to Munster on Saturday . Denton is following return-to-play protocols and a late decision on the back-row forward ’ s fitness will be taken . Without Scott and possibly Denton , Edinburgh will be less confident of overcoming the Dragons on Friday and reaching the Challenge Cup Final , where they would play Gloucester or Exeter . Like Edinburgh , the Dragons may be in the lower half of the table , but they are in a rich vein of form and have won three matches in a row . Their latest and biggest scalp was taken last weekend when they overcame Leinster 25-22 in the Pro12 . Hooker Ross Ford is desperate to defeat the Welsh and keep alive his dream of being part of the first Scottish professional club side to lift silverware . The Scotland international has managed just 14 games for club and country in the past year . Ford is one of seven survivors from the Edinburgh team that lost 22-19 in the Heineken Cup semi-final against Ulster three years ago . But the hooker insists reaching the European Challenge Cup Final at Twickenham Stoop on May 1 would overtake even that 2012 highlight . ‘ I have been at Edinburgh through many ups and downs , so to win the Challenge Cup would be my biggest achievement , ’ said 85-times-capped Ford . ‘ It would also be a massive boost and something the club could take confidence from and build on in future seasons . It wouldn ’ t just be good for us , but also for Scottish rugby . ‘ We didn ’ t have a good Six Nations in terms of results and it would be a great boost to the game in Scotland if we manage to get to the final and win it. ’ Ford insists Edinburgh have already forgotten that embarrassing home defeat to Munster and believes confidence remains high ahead of Friday ’ s match . ‘ This is a European Challenge Cup semi-final and we will all be up for it , ’ said the 30-year-old former Scotland captain . ‘ We weren ’ t at our best against Munster but we will be fixing what went wrong in training this week . ‘ What we have in our favour is home advantage and we can expect a big crowd who will give is us a lot of backing . ‘ I have detected an excitement among our fans about the European game and our whole Challenge Cup campaign . ’
Centre Matt Scott will miss the rest of the season because of injury . Scotland international needs more surgery on problematic shoulder . Scott went under the knife past year but has been told he needs more . The 24-year-old has played just 14 games for club and country in last week .