Flying Scot hits another barrier
BY ROBERT DILLON
NSW Origin winger James McManus is expected to miss the start of the NRL season after being advised to delay indefinitely his return from a broken bone in his foot.
McManus had hoped to resume running this week, which would have given him an outside chance of playing in next Saturday's trial against Penrith in Port Macquarie.
But after visiting a specialist this week he has opted for a more cautious approach.
"I was hoping to play in one trial match," McManus said yesterday.
"That's what we were aiming for until the scans came back . . . but if I do it again, it means a five- to six-month lay-off and surgery.
"You don't want to muck around with stuff like that."
McManus said he would have more scans in the week before the first competition round and would gradually resume full training once he had received a clearance.
The 24-year-old's absence means Cooper Vuna and Akuila Uate are likely to be Newcastle's wingers for the March 13 season-opener against Canterbury.
Newcastle's squad for tonight's trial match against Melbourne was depleted yesterday by the withdrawal of three forwards: Ben Cross (hamstring), Cameron Ciraldo (ankle) and Cory Paterson (groin).
The loss of Cross and Ciraldo was especially frustrating. Season-ending injuries restricted them to seven and two games respectively last year.
Knights coach Rick Stone was hopeful all three would be fit to tackle Penrith.
Stone said Ciraldo, who suffered a horrific broken ankle last year, had a scare at training on Tuesday.
"Cameron rolled his ankle when he stood on one of the boys' feet, so he's just aggravated that ankle injury he's had a little bit," Stone said.
"Obviously we're a bit cautious because of the dramas he's had, so he'll have a couple of light days."
Stone said it was "common sense" to give Paterson the week off after he was left nursing a corked thigh and groin strain from the All Stars match last weekend.
Lock Zeb Taia, who had a shoulder reconstruction at the end of last season, has been training strongly and hopes to play next weekend.
Herald
