A return date has been set for the return of Anthony Tupou, with the Sharks backrower hoping to be available and on the field by round 21.
Ironically the estimated time of Tupou’s comeback coincides with his teams return bout with the New Zealand Warriors, with his broken jaw occurring when playing that same team in a round nine match at Remondis Stadium back in early May.
Tupou’s potential return would certainly add further depth to the Sharks forward ranks, with his explosive running set to be a huge bonus during the run in to the finals.
In other injury news Blake Ayshford has been pencilled in to play for the Newtown Jets in a NSW Cup match on Saturday. Ayshford has recovered from a lower back injury and could have played last weekend if required.
The other well-publicised injury affecting the Sharks involves Paul Gallen, however it appears he will take his place in the NSW team for the State of Origin decider tonight.
Gallen has been missing from the Sharks side since suffering the injury in Origin 2 and coach Shane Flanagan will be sweating on the game tonight and hoping his skipper comes through unscathed and is available to take on the Dragons on Sunday in the local derby match at Remondis.
Similarly, Flanagan will also be keeping a keen eye on Michael Ennis should he play tonight in place of Robbie Farah. Ennis has been in camp with the Blues in the lead up to the game and while a decision on Farah hasn’t yet been revealed, many are expecting the Sharks hooker to run out with the Blues at Suncorp this evening.
As for as the long-term injured are concerned, out of Fa’amanu Brown (knee), Jacob Gagan (Achilles) and Kyle Stanley (knee) only Brown is a chance of returning to the field at some stage during 2015.
Brown’s rehab program is well and truly in full swing, however his status and return date has yet to be determined.
Go to the Sharks injury update page for more information – CLICK HERE - http://www.sharks.com.au/info/injury-update.html
Sunday's match against the St George Illawarra Dragons is proudly brought to you by match day sponsor Southern Radiology.
