Injured Roosters half Sam Walker has refuted reports that he may be shut down for the season, with the 21-year-old earmarking a return date.
The Roosters have slumped to a 1-4 record this season, with Walker’s absence a huge reason why.
The 22-year-old is recovering from a ruptured ACL he suffered late last season, with the Roosters so far relying on veteran Chad Townsend, who has struggled for form.
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Walker revealed to the SMH that he is set to return in a couple of months.
This was despite journalist Brent Read suggesting on NRL360 this week that Walker should be shut down for the season, which Braith Anasta labelled “one of the dumbest things” he’s heard in his life.
Anasta said on the following night’s episode of NRL360 that Read’s comments may have been spurred by “noise coming out of the Walker camp”.
“He didn’t make that up out of nowhere,” Dan Ginnane said of Read’s suggestion.
According to the actual source though, he’s aiming for a return in June.
“You always hear people talk about coming back around the nine-month mark after surgery, which for me will be in the middle of June,” Walker said.
“I’ve got the mindset I want to keep pushing myself to get back, as long as I’m feeling good and I have that confidence in the knee.
“Touch wood I’ve had no dramas so far. I’ve been running and kicking since January. It’s been a slow process, and every step in the recovery process takes about a month before you can go to that next level.
“I’m not coming back if I’m 90 per cent, or 95 per cent. I need to be at 100 per cent so there’s no risk of missing another season.”
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While Walker’s been sidelined, the Roosters have emerged as favourites to sign Daly Cherry-Evans, with the star halfback to leave Manly at season’s end.
Walker says he would “welcome” the arrival of Daly Cherry-Evans “with open arms” if the veteran were to sign with the Tricolours.
Despite the Roosters No. 7 jersey belonging to Walker, if Cherry-Evans were to sign, Walker would shift to five-eighth.
Walker has no issues with this though, believing Cherry-Evans would be a valuable addition for the Roosters and his own game.
“He’s done it all in the game and we’d love to have him at the Roosters, that’s for sure,” Walker told the SMH.
“You’d love to have someone of his calibre. I said the same thing when there was talk of Ben Hunt potentially coming here.
“Being a Queenslander, and having spent time with him in Origin camp, the way he carries himself, he’s a professional. Daly would be welcomed here with open arms.”
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