Melbourne Storm star Ryan Papenhuyzen looks set to miss the majority of the first half of the season after calling a round eight return “a little bit ambitious”.
Papenhuyzen is on the comeback trail after having his kneecap shattered in July, the latest in a long line of injuries over the last two seasons.
The 24-year-old is one of three NRL players – alongside Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic – to have travelled to the US to consult renowned sports doctor Bill Knowles, but revealed there are still some significant steps to take before he returns to the field.
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”Something came out the other week that I’d be back around rounds six (to) eight, that’s a little bit ambitious at the moment… it’s a slow process,” Papenhuyzen told Triple M’s Rush Hour.
“The mentality at the moment is to get back and be at the level I was performing at before, or close enough, rather than just coming back.
“It’s taking a little bit longer but that’s giving me confidence to chase after it and make sure I’m back playing a good level of footy.”
With Papenhuyzen sidelined, Nick Meaney is expected to slot into the No.1 jersey for Craig Bellamy’s side to begin the home and away season.
The Storm will open their 2023 season when they travel to CommBank Stadium to face the Parramatta Eels on March 2.
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