Injury will prevent Sharks Luke Lewis, Andrew Fifita and Michael Gordon from taking part in the Four Nations tournament or Prime Ministers XIII match in Papua New Guinea with the trio forced to withdraw from the train-on squad due to injury.
All three were chosen by Australian selectors to be a part of the extended Australian squad, with teams to be named in the coming weeks, however due to a range of issues neither Lewis, Fifita or Gordon will now be available.
Sharks medical staff briefly explained the injuries and off-season surgeries facing the Sharks trio.
“Luke has had ongoing cartilage damage in his left knee throughout the 2014 season, then after sustaining a season ending hamstring injury in round 21 he underwent an arthroscopic clean out of the left knee,” the report detailed. “He now requires three-months of rehabilitation which unfortunately has ruled him out of the Four Nations.
“Andrew had surgery for a fractured forearm and thumb ligament reconstruction and will not be fit for contact until January, while Michael Gordon also pulled out as he is having ankle surgery later this month.”
Gordon’s ankle surgery is not deemed to be serious and as for Lewis and Fifita, both had their surgical procedures done before the Sharks completed their 2014 home and away season and have made a jump start on their recovery process.
The three will return to pre-season training at varying times with all expected to be fit and firing well in advance of the kick-off to the 2015 season next March.
