Canterbury half Kieran Foran can breathe a sigh of relief after he was cleared of a serious toe injury and is expected to be free to play in the NRL this weekend.
On Monday morning scans cleared the Bulldogs star of major damage to his toe, which is the same one that abruptly ended the first of what has been a horror run of three seasons at Belmore.
Foran suffered the toe problem midway through the first half of the Bulldogs’ heartbreaking 28-22 loss to St George Illawarra on Saturday evening, but the 30-year-old remained on the field.
He was taken off in the 38th minute for a concussion test but did not return to the field because of the toe injury.
However, he is now expected to line up for the Bulldogs in their clash with Newcastle on Sunday.
It’s a welcome relief for Foran, who is in a crucial time in his NRL career.
Off-contract at the end of the season, it’s believed the New Zealand international has been asked to take a 75 per cent pay cut to extend his time at the Bulldogs for another year.
On Saturday, Foran said he would wait until the club appoints a new coach before making a call on his future.
It’s expected the Bulldogs in the coming days will announce former Manly coach and Penrith assistant Trent Barrett as a replacement for Dean Pay.
“My priority will be the injury and making sure I am right,” Foran said.
“Once I know what I have got to deal with on the injury front then I can make some calls regarding next year.
“It’s not the best time.
“It’s been the story of the last few years for me and I’ve learned to deal with it and get on with.”