Cronulla five-eighth Todd Carney is expected to be fit for the start of the 2013 NRL season after successful surgery on his ruptured achilles tendon.
Carney was carried off Canberra Stadium last Sunday during the Sharks’ elimination final loss to the Raiders.
The early diagnosis of a ruptured tendon was confirmed on Tuesday prior to Carney undergoing surgery.
The NSW pivot faces a 12-16 week recovery period and the Sharks are confident he will be fit for round one in 2013, his second season with the club.
Sharks physiotherapist Konrad Shultz accompanied Carney to hospital for the procedure and declared it a success.
“All went well,” Schultz told the Sharks website.
“He had his Achilles repaired and without any setbacks between now and then we are aiming to have him right to play in round one next year.”
Carney initially injured the ankle in the Sharks’ round 26 loss to North Queensland. He required a painkilling injection to play in the elimination final before his leg gave way as he attempted to step off his right foot midway through Canberra’s 34-16 victory.
Carney is expected to begin pre-season training in late January.