Nathan Cleary set for third operation as Panthers eye round one return

Nathan Cleary is set to undergo a third operation next week, with tightrope surgery on his left ankle to stabilise the syndesmosis injury he suffered in the preliminary final. He has already had surgery on his broken left leg and on a fifth metatarsal injury in his right foot. Cleary is out of both casts and moving on a scooter, and could be walking unaided within a fortnight if there are no complications. Penrith remain optimistic he will be fit for round one, potentially at the club's new stadium. Elsewhere at the Panthers, Isaah Yeo will have pectoral surgery after the World Cup and is in doubt for the start of the season, while Dylan Edwards is recovering from a shoulder reconstruction but is expected to be right for round one.

By Christian Nicolussi, Sydney Morning Herald — read the full story