'They will be coming after him': Thurston's grim prediction as Panthers get Cleary relief

The Panthers have revealed Nathan Cleary is on track to play finals this season after avoiding immediate surgery.

The superstar halfback suffered a shoulder injury on Thursday night but scans were as positive as they could be on Friday, leaving the door open for him to lead the Panthers to potentially a fourth straight premiership.

Initial fears were Cleary would miss the remainder of the season.

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He came from the field late in the second half of his side's 24-22 loss to the Storm clutching at his shoulder. He left BlueBet Stadium in an ambulance.

"He is an unmatched player – you can't take Nathan Cleary off the field and expect Penrith to be the same sort of side," former Jillaroo Allana Ferguson said on Nine's post-game coverage on Thursday night.

"Jarome Luai has been brilliant playing at halfback without him there, but having the two of them as a threat, when they link up, it turns to points.

"When they get that ruck speed, it puts the defence in two minds and they have so many different options. They can still play good footy, but having no Nathan Cleary is a completely different scenario."

Brad Fittler then pointed out in the five matches since his return, Cleary has won three of them virtually off his own back - the two-point field goal on his return against the Dolphins, a try against the Knights, and then the final goal against the Eels.

But it's not all doom and gloom. Fittler believes the side is still a force to be reckoned with, even with a depleted spine.

The Panthers have played more games without Cleary this season than with him - 11 without and only 10 with - and won seven of them.

They lost their first match after Jarome Luai's shift to halfback against the Warriors, but then won the next four.

Fittler said the Panthers are still a dangerous prospect even without the best player in the competition.

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He also pointed out how well the Panthers play when carrying inured players, and pointed out James Fisher-Harris and Dylan Edwards as examples.

"The way they were playing without Nathan prior to him coming back ... they're going to be there somewhere," he said.

"What Nathan has shown over the past four or five years, he is as tough as anyone. He plays under all sorts of injuries. This team is renowned for playing under injuries.

"The fact we're so close to the semis hurts the Panthers, but I wouldn't rule them out.

"You've got to commend the Panthers team. They got Fisher-Harris back out here – two weeks ago it looked like he was gone.

"Dylan Edwards comes out with a busted knee, but somehow adds value to the team. They do a brilliant job with injury."

But Johnathan Thurston pointed out neither Fisher-Harris (groin) nor Edwards (knee) were carrying shoulder issues.

"Shoulders are difficult to play with when they're busted ... you can't be playing with a busted shoulder in that position," he said.

"You get targeted. Every side will be sending their back rowers, their forwards at him to test it.

"That's just the nature of the beast when you're playing, (and he's) the best player in the comp.

"When you are carrying that slight injury, if you're back for the prelim or one of those finals games, they will be coming after him."

The Panthers' run home includes the Raiders away, and then the Rabbitohs and Titans at home.