Australia winger Josh Mansour is out of the Four Nations tournament and will miss the start of next NRL season after suffering a devastating knee injury at training in England.
Scans have revealed the Penrith star has a torn anterior cruciate ligament and faces reconstruction surgery.
Mansour had locked in one of the Kangaroos’ wing spots for Saturday’s Four Nations clash with New Zealand, but is now set to return to Sydney after his worst fears were confirmed.
The setback is a crushing blow for Mansour, who suffered a long-term medial ligament injury two years ago, and was planning to go on honeymoon in Europe at the conclusion of the Four Nations following his recent wedding.
It also has big implications for both Penrith and the NSW State of Origin team next year.
“Unbelievably bad luck for our man Josh Mansour. Just terrible. He will be shattered. We will bring him home and get his surgery done ASAP,” tweeted Penrith general manager Phil Gould.
“Depends on the surgery. Minimum 6 months from the time of the operation. Important we get him home ASAP to have that surgery done.
“Josh & his beautiful new bride Daniella had planned a European honeymoon after his tour. I’m more upset for him about that at the moment.”
Mansour had scored twice and ran for a game-high 247 metres in Australia’s 54-12 win over Scotland in the Four Nations opener and was singled out for praise by coach Mal Meninga, who all but admitted he’d line up against the Kiwis in Coventry.
The 26-year-old fell to the ground during the latter stages of the team’s final training session at the St George’s Park complex in Staffordshire on Wednesday.
Mansour cried out in pain and he was helped from the field after an innocuous-looking collision with Josh Dugan towards the end of a small-sided game between squad members.
Meninga and his staff will now have to rethink their line-up, which will almost certainly see the return of Darius Boyd, Matt Scott, Greg Inglis and Johnathan Thurston, who were rested last Friday.
Blake Ferguson was set to lose out to Mansour and Valentine Holmes in the battle for Test wing spots but should now keep his place in the team.
Tournament rules do allow the option of adding a replacement player, but there are no immediate plans to supplement the 24-man Australian squad.
A win for Australia or New Zealand in their clash will earn a spot in the Four Nations final at Anfield on November 20.
There has also been speculation Cooper Cronk may be rested to preserve him for the England fixture at London’s Olympic Stadium on November 12.
If the Melbourne halfback is left out, James Maloney would be in line to win his second cap after debuting against the Scots.
Meninga will name an extended 19-man squad on Thursday (Friday AEDT).
