Penrith Panthers have provided a promising update on the potential return of Dally M Medal winner Nathan Cleary after he underwent surgery on both legs.
The Penrith co-captain suffered a compound fracture of his left leg in the preliminary final loss against the Knights and was taken straight to hospital where he had an operation to insert a plate and screws.
Coach Ivan Cleary confirmed post-match that Nathan would also require surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right foot which he had carried into the match.
That was the injury he suffered against the Roosters in the qualifying final but bravely took the field in the preliminary final.
“Who knows what an injury - these days - takes,” said Panthers CEO Andrew Hill while talking to 2GB's Continuous Call team the day before the NRL Grand Final.
“What used to take three months, is now three weeks.
“The indication from the surgeon is everything going to plan.
“Round 1 to Round 4 we're expecting him to be back. As good as news as we could have hoped from a terrible, terrible injury.”
