Nathan Cleary discloses expected return date in injury update.
The top halfback is dealing with a hamstring injury
Penrith Panthers star Nathan Cleary has indicated that his hamstring strain is minimal.
Pushing aside concerns that Cleary may have lost a long period of time due to the injury he sustained last weekend, the star halfback stated that he hopes to return for a Round 7 match against the Wests Tigers.
That means he will miss only two games, with the Panthers’ halfback missing Thursday’s game against the Sydney Roosters and next weekend’s contest against the Manly Sea Eagles, before the men from the foot of the Alps receive a bye in Round 6.
Speaking to Channel 9, Cleary disclosed that the hamstring injury is in the opposite leg to the one that kept him out of action last year, and that if this weekend’s match had been a grand final, he would have played.
“Yep… we play Manly this week and then we have a bye,” Cleary said Channel 9 when questioned about the injury.
“It’s a small hamstring tear. It’s certainly not the same as last year.”It’s probably what happened before I had the actual rip last year, and it’s really mild. It’s the opposite leg as well.
“It’s a chat with the physio about how to handle it properly. If it had been a grand final last week, I could have played. It’s about balancing the workload with bonuses and kicks. Growing up, I never had to worry about it; instead, I enjoyed it.
“Last year, I started to notice a few niggles here and there. It’s more about the mental reps now, and I structure my week around that.
The cautious attitude to Cleary’s comeback is understandable early in the season, given his workload and the fact that he has missed matches due to injury in each of the previous two seasons.
Cleary is anticipated to be selected by the New South Wales Blues for another State of Origin series before leading Penrith’s premiership campaign as the club aims for a record fourth consecutive title.
Cleary’s absence this weekend means Brad Schendier will continue in the lineup for another week, partnering Jarome Luai.
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