Nathan Cleary’s ‘car crash injury’ is revealed as footy superstar returns to training with Panthers after being left red-faced by question about girlfriend Mary Fowler

Nathan Cleary's injury during the NRL grand final has been compared to what he would suffer if he were in a car accident as the Panthers halfback returned to pre-season training on Thursday.

Cleary, 26, did some fitness exercises with his teammates before taking part in a cross-country session in Sydney's west.

It comes as Cleary was left red-faced at the GQ Awards earlier this week when he was questioned about his girlfriend, Matildas star Mary Fowler.

Not long after arriving in Bondi he was asked an obvious question on the red carpet: 'Where's Mary?'

“I knew this was coming,” he said News Corp. 'I'm alone here… No plus-one. She's busy.'

Nathan Cleary's 'car crash injury' from the NRL grand final has been revealed as the Panthers halfback returned to pre-season training on Thursday

The NRL superstar recently met rumored girlfriend Mary Fowler in Perth, with his knee in a brace after being seriously injured in the biggest match of the year (pictured)

Cleary also played coy at the GQ Awards earlier this week when questioned about the Matildas star

Amid ongoing speculation, the couple went public with their relationship in Perth last month.

It comes as Panthers physio Pete Green was impressed with Cleary's movement after the playmaker suffered a tear of the posterior cruciate ligament in his knee while being tackled by Payne Haas in the epic decider.

Had the injury occurred during the season, Cleary would have been out of action for two months.

The knee problem caused Cleary to make a late withdrawal from the Pacific Championships, which New Zealand won against a shocked Australian side.

“They call it a car accident on the dashboard, where if you get into a head-on accident, typically the ligament can be damaged or torn, such is the force involved,” Green said.

“If it had been during the season, and what time of year it was, he could have come back half ready in two or three weeks, or you could come back in six to eight weeks.

“Considering he's traveled around quite a bit [Perth, Bali and the US] with little rehabilitation he was in remarkable shape.”

Meanwhile, Cleary's halves partner Jarome Luai also returned to training, with his playing future beyond 2024 still uncertain.

CEO Matt Cameron indicated the Premiers will offer the in-demand five-eighth a three-year deal, but the money will not match that of the Tigers and Bulldogs due to salary caps.