The Panthers are set to have their first-choice halves pairing back following their round six bye after scans cleared Jarome Luai of a knee injury. Luai went down clutching his left knee in the first half of Penrith’s 32-18 loss to Manly on Saturday.
The five-eighth was crunched in a two-man tackle as he attempted to defuse a kick. Despite initially being able to continue after being treated by trainers on the field, he was taken off with just over 10 minutes remaining in the game.
Following the match Panthers coach Ivan Cleary was optimistic about Luai’s prognosis and scans have since cleared him of any damage. He returned to Penrith’s gym on Tuesday to train, despite it being a scheduled day off.
Luai being given the all-clear is a timely boost for the defending premiers, who have struggled without halfback Nathan Cleary. The star playmaker picked up a hamstring injury in March and is set to return to the side and partner Luai for Penrith’s next match against the Wests Tigers.
Second-rower Scott Sorensen is also expected to return for the Panthers’ next match on April 20. The New Zealand international picked up a minor knee injury in last month’s win over Brisbane and is targeting a round-seven return.
Following the match Panthers coach Ivan Cleary was optimistic about Luai’s prognosis and scans have since cleared him of any damage. He returned to Penrith’s gym on Tuesday to train, despite it being a scheduled day off.
Luai being given the all-clear is a timely boost for the defending premiers, who have struggled without halfback Nathan Cleary. The star playmaker picked up a hamstring injury in March and is set to return to the side and partner Luai for Penrith’s next match against the Wests Tigers.
Second-rower Scott Sorensen is also expected to return for the Panthers’ next match on April 20. The New Zealand international picked up a minor knee injury in last month’s win over Brisbane and is targeting a round-seven return.