Brisbane Broncos star Corey Oates avoids surgery after injuring hand at pre-season training

The prognosis is in for Corey Oates’ injured hand – and it’s positive news for the Brisbane Broncos ahead of the new NRL season.

Corey Oates should recover from his hand injury in time for Brisbane’s first trial game. Picture: Peter Wallis

Star Bronco Corey Oates will not require surgery to a broken hand and is set to return to full strength just in time for the club’s first NRL trial match against the Cowboys next month.

Oates had his left hand caught in a tackle during last Wednesday’s defensive session which scans have subsequently revealed a small break.

The Brisbane winger has found himself wearing a hand guard during pre-season training sessions and restricted to light duties.

It’s the latest setback for Oates in a string of injuries over the past 12 months, including a deep cut to his thigh and a staph infection in his leg last January.

After consulting a surgeon on Monday, Oates has been given a four-week recovery period which could see him back in time for Brisbane’s trial match against the Cowboys in late February.

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Corey Oates during pre-season training at Red Hill. Picture: Annette Dew

It will allow new head coach Kevin Walters a chance to see Oates in action in the backrow after revealing his plans for a positional switch.

Walters has been running mock 13-on-13 drills at Red Hill since the Christmas break, with Jamayne Isaako training at fullback and Tesi Niu at right centre.

Payne Haas said while there had yet been any big-name signings over the pre-season, it gave the playing group confidence that Walters believed in his squad.

“That’s just the trust Kevvie has put in us,” Haas said.

“He knows the talent we have here and we just have to work hard to put it together.

“It’s a good chance to redeem ourselves from last year and return to our winning ways.”