Injured Raider has NRL grand final hope

Injured Canberra forward Ryan Sutton has declared he’ll do all he can to be fit should the Raiders reach another NRL grand final.

Sutton’s season appeared over after he injured a knee in last Saturday’s 38-28 win over Cronulla.

The Raiders on Monday announced the Englishman’s campaign was done with scans showing an injury to his MCL, requiring a recovery time of six to eight weeks.

Sutton has however declared he’ll be doing all he can to be in the mix if the Raiders can win their way to this year’s grand final.

“The physios are pretty confident that I could get back before the four week mark if I really rehab it good,” said the 25-year-old, who was cut from the Canberra line-up for last year’s title decider.

“It all just depends on the healing.

“I’ve just got to rehab, make sure I’m doing everything right, get the swelling down, make sure that the MCL repairs itself and then anything’s possible in this world.

“I’m just going to take it day-by-day, week-by-week.”

While Sutton is sidelined, the Raiders have recalled several first teamers for this Saturday’s elimination final against the Sharks in Canberra after resting them for the final round of the regular season.

The match also marked a successful return to the NRL for prop Sia Soliola after two months on the sidelines with a facial fracture.

While the return of Josh Papalii means Soliola drops to the bench for Saturday’s final, Papalii said the Samoan international’s return was a timely one for the Raiders.

“The leadership he brings, everyone’s tagged him as the spiritual leader around the group,” Papalii said on Wednesday.

“He doesn’t let that down by what he brings to the team.”

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!