Source : ABC NEWS
Brisbane Broncos star Reece Walsh will have surgery on a fractured cheekbone and is facing four to six weeks on the sidelines.
The Broncos confirmed scans had revealed Walsh sustained a fracture during the 26-12 win over Gold Coast in Robina on Saturday night.
The injury occurred at the same time Walsh suffered a category-one HIA late in the first half.
Walsh did not return to the field and was later sent to hospital. He will have surgery on Sunday.
If Walsh is sidelined for six weeks, he would be due to return for the Broncos in round 11, when they play the Warriors in Brisbane.
That would give him only one match under his belt before Queensland names its squad for State of Origin I, which will be played in Sydney on May 27.
Reece Walsh sustained a head knock close to half-time. (AAP: Jason O’Brien)
Jesse Arthars and specialist fullback Hayze Perham are two candidates to replace Walsh.
But the Broncos also have other injury concerns.
Captain Adam Reynolds lasted only 25 minutes before straining a groin and his replacement off the bench Ben Hunt sustained a stretched medial ligament but continued to play.
Both halves are having scans.
Arthars was playing his first NRL match of the season after regular winger Josiah Karapani was dropped for disciplinary reasons.
While a natural on the wing, Arthars scored a try and defended strongly at fullback after Walsh went off.
“I haven’t played there too much but I have done a lot of reps at fullback over the years and this year as well, just in case anything was to happen,” Arthars said.
“Unfortunately Reece has got injured. If they want me to play [fullback] I will be happy to do it.
“It just comes down to the practice I have done and I am confident to play there.”
AAP
