- Halfback suffered the injury during training on Monday
- Was taken to hospital, has to endure another session
- Panthers play Melbourne Storm for place in the grand final
The Panthers have confirmed star halfback Nathan Cleary has been sent to hospital for scans on an injured finger but are confident he is ‘no doubt’ for Friday’s preliminary final against the Storm.
Cleary suffered the injury in training on Monday and the NRL club decided to send him for a scan as a precaution to safeguard him from any serious damage.
Cleary (pictured controlling the ball during the Panthers’ victory over the Warriors in the qualifying final) was taken to hospital for scans
The superstar halfback hurt his finger during the team’s Monday training
The premiership-winning halfback will have to get through Wednesday’s main training session, but the Panthers are confident he can face the Storm.
It’s a minor setback for the defending champions, who were tested after being given a week off following their qualifying final win over the Warriors.
Izack Tago (pec) remains doubtful for the match at the Accor Stadium, while five-eighth Jarome Luai is on track to return from a dislocated shoulder suffered less than a month ago.
He trained well on Sunday morning, although Jack Cogger is ready to play if necessary.
Cleary is widely regarded as the best halfback in the game and losing him to injury would be a major blow to the premiers.
Panthers five-eighth Jarome Luai (pictured) had a lot of straps on his shoulder in training but is expected to play against Melbourne on Friday night
“When it first happened I thought the worst because it was a pretty nasty injury,” said teammate Liam Martin.
“But when it was announced that he had a chance to come back because it wasn’t as bad as they initially thought, I knew he would do everything he could to play.
‘That’s exactly what he did. He has had 24 hour physiotherapy on it and has worked so hard to get his shoulder right.”