LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
In a devastating blow to Cronulla's premiership dreams, star playmaker Nicho Hynes is set to miss around two months of action due to a serious ankle injury, according to reports from news.com.au.
Hynes suffered the injury during a training session on Monday and had to be assisted off the field, before meeting with specialists the following day.
The Sharks, who have been struggling in recent weeks with five losses in their past six matches, will now have to cope without their key playmaker.
The loss of Hynes comes at a crucial time for the Sharks, who are currently clinging onto fourth place in the NRL ladder.
Despite missing out on several key opportunities in recent games, including a missed conversion attempt and a crucial field goal, Hynes has been the linchpin in Cronulla's attacking plays.
Sharks head of performance, Nathan Pickworth, confirmed the severity of Hynes' injury, stating that he has a complete syndesmosis rupture and a tibia fracture in his left ankle.
The news is yet another setback for the fan favorite, who was also dropped from the Blues team following their Game 1 loss.
With the finals approaching, the Sharks will be hoping for a speedy recovery for Hynes, as they look to regain their form and make a strong push towards premiership glory.