The Penrith Panthers received a major boost with news that star halfback Nathan Cleary will not require surgery on his injured shoulder, keeping him on track to return in time for the NRL finals. Cleary, who was visibly in pain after sustaining the injury late in the Panthers’ loss to the Melbourne Storm, had fans worried as he favored his left shoulder when getting back on his feet.
Penrith released a statement confirming that Cleary had experienced a recurrence of the shoulder instability that troubled him earlier this year, but thankfully, surgery isn’t necessary. “The positive outcome is that the club plans to have Nathan available for the NRL Finals,” the club announced, easing concerns about his availability for the crucial matches ahead.
This injury marks another challenge for Cleary, who underwent surgery on his right shoulder in 2021 and has battled various injuries throughout the current season, including a hamstring issue that sidelined him for much of the year. Panthers coach and Nathan’s father, Ivan Cleary, acknowledged that the injury is a recurrence of an issue Nathan faced during the pre-season, but expressed hope that his son would recover in time to make an impact in the finals.
While Cleary’s condition remains a concern, the Panthers are optimistic about his recovery. As the two-time Clive Churchill Medal winner prepares for scans to determine the full extent of the injury, fans and the team alike are hopeful that he will return to the field stronger, ready to lead Penrith in their pursuit of NRL glory.
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