LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Mitchell Moses, the captain of the Parramatta Eels, will be sidelined for the first six weeks of the NRL season due to a foot injury.
The injury, a stress reaction in his left foot which he also injured last season, comes as a blow to the team as they begin a new era under head coach Jason Ryles.
Moses was a surprise omission from the round-one team to face Melbourne, with the Eels seeking independent medical advice before determining he would wear a moon boot in the coming weeks.
The team is hopeful that Moses will be able to make his return against former side Wests Tigers on Easter Monday.
Moses will miss key matchups against Manly and Canterbury during his absence, which will be frustrating for the player as he had recently signed a long-term deal with the Eels and was appointed club captain under Ryles.
Additionally, he was looking to solidify his State of Origin credentials during the opening rounds of the competition.
The Eels will need to adjust their lineup in Moses's absence and find ways to cope without their influential playmaker.
Ryles and the team will be hoping for a smooth recovery for Moses so that he can return to action as soon as possible and contribute to the team's success in the upcoming season.
Despite this setback, Parramatta will be looking to start their season strong and build momentum even without their star player on the field.