Nathan Cleary could return within a month, Panthers confident of avoiding surgery
Nathan Cleary could return to the NRL within a month if he isn't told that he needs immediate shoulder surgery.
The Panthers are confident of getting their superstar halfback through the rest of the season if a shoulder specialist determines that he can have surgery later this year. Cleary is due to meet with a surgeon on Wednesday, facing the prospect of his season ending; having already been ruled out of the final State of Origin game.
"I know our team are really positive and optimistic about getting Nathan through the rest of this season, but it will all come down to the advice we get from the surgeon on Wednesday," Panthers and NSW Blues head of performance Hayden Knowles told The Sydney Morning Herald.
NSW halfback Nathan Cleary during Origin II. Getty
"I know our physio Pete Green has remained upbeat. Isaah [Yeo] was able to get through something similar with his shoulder a couple of years ago, Pete helped get Isaah through that, so Nathan has full faith in the people around him.
"If he doesn't require surgery he could be back in three or four weeks."
Cleary suffered the injury during State of Origin II, in which NSW won back the shield from Queensland.
NSW coach Brad Fittler will have to decide on a replacement for Cleary in Origin III, to pair with five-eighth Jarome Luai.
He could put bench utility Jack Wighton in the halves, or choose a specialist halfback such as Adam Reynolds or Mitchell Moses.
