Gallen dismisses injury concern

Sharks skipper Paul Gallen is scheduled to have a minor surgical procedure performed on his elbow this week however it is expected that he will be fully fit when training resumes after the NRL squad takes a well-earned Christmas break.

Gallen, who fought and beat All Black Hika Elliott in a charity boxing event in New Zealand over the weekend, will have what was described by Sharks Doctor David Givney as a ‘foreign body’, removed from his elbow on Thursday.

The man himself is unconcerned and just keen to have the niggling injury sorted out before training intensifies in the New Year.

“I scheduled this surgery three weeks ago, so it had nothing to do with the fight. I’ve just got a little bit of floating bone and I’ll get that cleaned up,” Gallen said.

“I’m expecting to be back on deck and in full training when we come back after Christmas on January 7.”

Sharks coach Shane Flanagan dismissed speculation that Gallen’s injury may be worse than first thought and that it had anything to do with the Charity fight night.

“The boxing match had nothing to do with it” Flanagan said. “It was an injury sustained at training and the extent of the injury has been blown out of proportion. He will have the minor surgery on Thursday and we don’t expect him to miss a day of training once we resume after Christmas.”

Before he runs out for the Sharks in trials or in round one when the Sharks take on the Gold Coast Titans, it is expected Gallen will take part in the annual NRL All Stars game.

Currently the leading Sharks vote getter, Gallen is likely to be a part of the All Stars team to take on the Indigenous All Stars.

Meanwhile, Gallen’s Sharks teammates will continue training through until Friday before taking a two-week break for Christmas and New Year.