Young Sharks outside back Jacob Gagan has suffered a potentially season-ending injury after rupturing his Achilles tendon.
In a continuation of what has been a frustrating season for Gagan, who has battled hamstring problems since sustaining an injury in the pre-season trial match against Manly, the young winger broke down early in the first half while playing for Newtown in the NSW Cup on Sunday.
The injury was sustained during the opening 10 minutes of the Jets match against the Wentworthville Magpies.
“There didn’t seem to be much in it,” a Jets official explained. “He went to push off and it just went on him. He said he’d felt like he’d been shot in the calf.”
After creating an impression during limited starts for the Sharks NRL side in 2015, Gagan had yet to play in the top grade in 2015 but had been returning to full fitness after getting the better of his hamstring issues.
The injury is a blow to both the Sharks, from the point of view of their depth in the outside back, and to the Jets who would have benefitted from Gagan’s strong ball running and try-scoring ability.
In other Sharks injury news, the trio of Paul Gallen, Ricky Leutele and Chris Heighington have been slated to return in the round 13 match against the Roosters, with Gallen and Leutele back from glute and shoulder injuries, while Heighington will have completed his three-match suspension for a dangerous throw.
Sosaia Feki, currently sidelined with a knee injury, was confident of being available to return in round 15.
“I ran today (Tuesday) for the first time and I should be good to go after our second bye,” Feki said yesterday.
Anthony Tupou’s status is still unclear as he continues his recovery from a badly broken jaw, Fa’amanu Brown is hopeful, yet unlikely, of being right to play during 2015.
Follow the link to the Injury News page for a more detailed account of the Sharks ‘casualty ward’.
CLICK HERE to view the injury report page.
