Eels’ Norman caught using phone in sheds

Parramatta five-eighth Corey Norman could face sanction from the NRL after being caught on camera using a mobile phone during the Eels’ season-opening loss to Brisbane.

Norman’s night ended early when he suffered a neck injury late in the first half of the 17-4 defeat at Pirtek Stadium.

He didn’t play any part in the second half and was captured on camera in the dressing rooms appearing to use a phone.

When the cameras focused on him, tv commentators speculated he was probably letting his family know he was OK after the ugly tackle accident which resulted in his injury.

Either way, Norman is likely to be asked for an explanation by the NRL as players are banned from using phones during matches due to issues surrounding betting.

In some good news for the Eels, Norman and star signing Kieran Foran are both expected to play next week against premiers North Queensland.

Manly recruit Foran was a last-minute withdrawal from Thursday night’s game.

Auckland Nines hero Norman was sent to hospital for precautionary scans, but coach Brad Arthur was confident his five-eighth would be available for the Cowboys.

“The doc said it’s just a precaution and if the scans come back like they think they will he should be right for next week. That’s what he told me anyway,” Arthur said.

Foran, who pulled out of Thursday’s match due to a hamstring problem that has hampered much of his pre-season, will train on Saturday and is also likely to be available to make his club debut next week.

Arthur said he just wasn’t close enough to take on the Broncos.

“We watched him run (Thursday), he’ll run on Saturday… the guys are telling me he’ll be right to go,” he said.

The Eels have a 12-day turnaround before hosting the defending premiers.

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