Nathan Cleary is in tight competition to play in the Panthers’ season opener in Las Vegas, but club doctors are confident he will play against the Sharks.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Cleary is scheduled to undergo the same Latarjet surgery he underwent at the end of 2021.
He is scheduled to undergo surgery next Monday and will take 16 weeks to regain his strength. Panthers doctors expect complete recovery to take 15 weeks.
Read more: SJ’s cautious response to NRL retirement backflip question
READ MORE: ‘Holy Smoke’: Whittaker ‘messed up’ with first round elimination
Read more: ‘Beach lost’ Piastri’s winning streak ends with Mexico shock
Nathan Cleary is in contention to play in the Panthers’ season opener in Las Vegas. getty
Mr Cleary was unable to undergo surgery shortly after assuming office for a fourth consecutive term as his surgeon was on annual leave.
It meant Cleary was able to enjoy a few weeks in Europe with his girlfriend Mary Fowler, and the Matildas’ 1-1 win in a friendly against Switzerland on Saturday morning (AEDT). It was a tie at oar.
Watch the 2024 Pacific Championship on Nine and 9Now.
Cleary missed the first four weeks of the 2022 season, part of that recovery time due to cartilage and rotator cuff injuries that needed healing.
The Panthers’ medical staff is hopeful that recovery time will be much faster this time around.
Cleary wasn’t the only Panther to be put at risk in the offseason, with Liam Henry also undergoing shoulder surgery.
