Injury-prone Manly star Josh Schuster is in doubt for the Sea Eagles’ Las Vegas season opener after a horror two months that has seen him barely train with the team.
The Daily Telegraph reported Schuster was in doubt to board the plane to Vegas after a series of injuries plagued his pre-season preparations for 2024.
On Wednesday the club confirmed Schuster suffered a spiral fracture in his finger which required surgery at the start of 2024, as well as a recent calf strain.
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Schuster also had a bout of chickenpox at the end of last year, which means he hasn’t properly trained with the Manly squad since early December.
Manly remain hopeful Schuster will be fit to play at least one trial, but with the Las Vegas season opener against Souths just over four weeks away he is racing the clock to board the plane.
The 22-year-old has a history of calf injuries that have plagued his career to date.
The talented youngster who is set to return to the back row after Luke Brooks’ arrival, has battled calf, quad and ankle injuries as well as fitness issues in the past two years.
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Schuster has scored five tries in 50 NRL games since his debut in 2020, but has only played 28 games over the last two seasons, including just 15 last year.
In better news for the club star fullback Tom Trbojevic is back to full fitness, while an injection of talent has improved the club’s depth in the outside backs.
CEO Tony Mestrov confirmed Manly signed Tommy Talau from Wests Tigers as well as Jaxson Paulo from the Roosters to improve the club’s depth should injuries strike.
“We’re kind of in a window. We’re back to our depth,” Mestrov said.
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“Tom is back to old Tom, he’s striding out, he’s fit.
“We’re a happy club, we just need a fair share of injuries, that’s all we need I reckon.
“It’s been the best it’s been for a long, long time. We’ve got competition, there’s a bit of hunger back.
“Now we’ve got genuine depth in the outside backs, We’ve got the depth, it’s up to us. There’s quiet confidence without getting ahead of ourselves.”
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