North Queensland NRL star Valentine Holmes is set for up to 10 weeks on the sidelines after having surgery on his injured ankle.
Holmes had an arthroscopy on his left ankle on Monday and after the probe revealed the ankle syndesmosis was unstable he had the ligament surgically repaired.
The 24-year-old will spend between eight to 10 weeks recovering before he can return to league action for the Cowboys.
The news is a blow for Paul Green’s struggling team, which has slipped to 12th on the ladder after last weekend’s heavy loss to the Sydney Roosters in Townsville.
Holmes lasted just 41 minutes in the 42-16 defeat before aggravating the ankle he’d first injured the Warriors in round five.
Despite knowing his prize recruit wasn’t at full fitness, Green defended playing Holmes following the loss to the Roosters.
“He got jammed up in a tackle as well which didn’t help given he had a sore ankle to start with,” Green said.
“He got passed last week to play and pulled up good.”
Holmes’ absence is the last thing the Cowboys need before Sunday’s game against in-form Penrith with captain Michael Morgan (shoulder) also sidelined.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
I think the Cows took a huge risk, not only initially signing Holmes straight out of the NFL system, but also picking him injured. I reckon Holmes is a better winger than fullback - at least they put him in the right position!
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Apparently he pulled up lame at training AND was on the wing because Green wasn't sure about his fitness... bad call to have him out there.
Nat
Roar Rookie
Surely the board is watching this. They buy a Porsche and Green takes it for a spin with a few loose wheel nuts. Back to the shop with 10% of the cap gone with it.
Superspud
Roar Rookie
Perhaps Gallen is going to get his head knocked off by Mark Hunt but apart from that he done ok. Didn't change clubs I suppose.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I agree . If he wasn't fit enough to play FB , he wasn't fit enough to play. What? Nurse a player on the wing ? Just stupid.
Sam
Guest
That's because Val was still at the Sharks, Bird was still good in 2017 as well (played all three Origin games). It's when they leave that the curse kicks in.
Greg
Guest
I wouldn't call 6 weeks a long period......
Rellum
Roar Guru
Winterstein was another example. It is like Green is just demanding them to harden up and go out and do it for the team, go through the pain. But if they physically can't do what they do at a full level then that player is a liability and you risk a Harry Kewell style situation, where the player become so injury ridden they never recover.
Rob
Guest
Well I hate saying it but the Sharks players were unbreakable for a long period with Flanagan?
Rob
Guest
No s:.t Sherlock. I thought it looked like a syndesmosis injury when he originally did it. WTF are the medical team doing along with Green putting any player let alone $ million one on the field. Holmes is valuable because he can run and break tackles. How was he ever going to be any value with a busted ankle? Total incompetence IMO. Also Taumalolo had bone bruising and missed a game? The best case scenario for a bone bruise injury is 3-4 weeks they can be extremely long lasting. Where is McClean? Morgan suffered a head injury and was playing 13 days later? The health and fitness management of several Cowboys in recent years has been questionable.
Nat
Roar Rookie
You have a point but I'm not sure Val fits the bill. By 2018, he was the best rep winger in the game and top 3 fullbacks at the time. 2019 was NFL. This is just an injury but I do hope it's not anything like Bird's run at the Broncos.
Sam
Guest
The Sharks 2016 curse continues........from their premiership team that year, not a single player has changed clubs and kicked on to better things......Barba is no longer a league player, Bird has played 17 games in three seasons, Holmes was demoted back to the wing and will now miss half the season, Gerard Beale can't even get a start at the Warriors, Maloney is now in SL after missing the finals with Penrith, Sam Tagatese managed a whole 4 games for the Broncos.....the list goes on
Rellum
Roar Guru
He can thank Paul Green for that one. Green has real form in pushing injured players to play despite not being fit enough.