LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
In a concerning turn of events, Nathan Cleary, the star halfback of the Panthers, has been sent to the hospital just days before the preliminary final, sending shockwaves through the team.
The Panthers have confirmed that Cleary underwent scans on an injured finger but are adamant that he is in "no doubt" to play against the Storm on Friday.
The injury occurred during a training session on Monday, prompting the club to take precautionary measures and send him for scans.
Fortunately, the scans revealed no major damage, providing some relief for the premiership-winning halfback.
However, Cleary will still need to pass Wednesday's main training session before he can be fully cleared to face the Storm.
While this setback is minor, it comes at a crucial time for the defending champions, who have been given a week off following their qualifying final win over the Warriors.
In addition to Cleary's injury, Izack Tago's availability for the game at Accor Stadium remains uncertain due to a pectoral injury, while five-eighth Jarome Luai is on track to make a comeback from a dislocated shoulder he suffered less than a month ago.
Luai trained well on Sunday morning, but the team has Jack Cogger ready to step in if needed.