The Newcastle Knights have confirmed Jayden Brailey has suffered a torn Achilles that will keep him on the sidelines for much of the season.
The Knights are priced at 22/1 to win the 2022 NRL grand final and could have done without losing one of their influential players during pre-season.
Surgery needed
Brailey has undergone surgery after suffering the injury in an innocuous drill during training on Saturday and will now miss at least the first half of the 2022 season.
It is a bitter pill for Brailey to swallow as two out of three seasons have now been ruined by injury.
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The Knights have issued a statement on the club's website confirming the news and say the player will get all the support he needs to make a full recovery.
The statement read: "Scans have confirmed nib Newcastle Knights Captain, Jayden Brailey, has suffered a ruptured achilles tendon in his left leg, during a non-contact team training session last Saturday.
"Brailey will undergo surgery later this week to repair the injury and determine his rehabilitation timeline, with hopes of a return to play in the second half of the 2022 season.
"The Newcastle Knights would like to thank everyone for their well wishes and support for Jayden, who we know will tackle his recovery with the same professionalism and tenacity he applies to his football."
Limited options
The injury means Chris Randall now has a chance to step in and fill the void at dummy-half, but the Knights will start the season with one of the most inexperienced spines in the competition.
The injury comes soon after star veteran playmaker Mitchell Pearce left the club to sign for Super League's Catalans Dragons, while Connor Watson has also joined the Roosters.
