Parramatta Eels halfback Chris Sandow and centre Brad Takairangi will miss the rest of the NRL pre-season following ankle injuries sustained in the NRL Auckland Nines tournament over the weekend.
Takairangi was absent from day two of competition in Auckland with ankle ligament damage, while Sandow sustained his own ligament damage in the Eels’ semi-final loss to Souths.
Sandow will now miss the All Stars match on the Gold Coast on February 13.
It looms as a crucial year for the mercurial Sandow, who comes off contract at season’s end with the Eels rumoured to be very keen on signing Manly No.7 Daly Cherry-Evans.
The Eels said in a statement they expected Sandow and Takairangi to be back for the start of the season proper.
Teammate Will Hopoate has also been withdrawn from the NRL All Stars side as he rehabilitates from a groin injury that ruled him out of the Auckland Nines.
Second-rower Kenny Edwards has torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and will undergo surgery in the coming weeks.
Hooker Kaysa Pritchard will also have surgery for a torn pectoral muscle.
The NRL season kicks off on March 5.