NRL: Broncos star Corey Oates hospitalised with serious infection

Broncos winger Corey Oates has copped a major pre-season blow after being hospitalised for a number of days with a serious infection.

• Feeling the heat: Fifita lags behind teammates
• NRL transfer centre: Broncos, Titans, Cowboys

Broncos winger Corey Oates has copped a pre-season blow after being hospitalised with an infection.

Oates reported for training this week but has been on restricted duties as he recovers from the pre-Christmas medical drama.

Oates, 25, was hospitalised and placed on intravenous antibiotics to treat the infection on his lower leg.

He has made a full recovery and has been training in the gym this week, but has not featured in field sessions.

Watch the 2020 NRL Nines tournament LIVE & On-Demand on KAYO. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Corey Oates has made a full recovery after the scare. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty

This is not the first time Oates has been hospitalised with an infection.

In 2017, his hopes of breaking back into the State of Origin arena were dashed when he was hospitalised for multiple days because of a serious staph infection.

Oates, who boasts a long injury history, has also had issues with his heart which required him to undergo testing which cleared him of any concerns.

Broncos head of performance Paul Devlin said Oates had made a full recovery.

“Just before Christmas he picked up an infection on his lower leg and had to go into hospital to have some antibiotics by IV which have proven to be very effective,” he said.

“He will be back into training next week and we will recondition him and he will be back in with the full squad shortly.

Jack Bird is back at training after undergoing a knee reconstruction last year. Picture: AAP/Glenn Hunt

“Like any infection it’s pretty serious. It did require intravenous antibiotics which meant a short stay in hospital which is not ideal for anybody.

“He’s absolutely on the mend now and looking forward to getting back into full training with the team.

“He’s getting back into upper body gym work and will start his cardio again next week.”

Oates is expected to be a starting winger for the Broncos this year and his setback shouldn’t affect that.

While he has been sidelined, centre Jack Bird has returned to full training after undergoing a knee reconstruction last year.

Bird was one of Brisbane’s best players in early 2019 before suffering a season-ending knee injury in Round 9.

“Jack is in fantastic shape, in full contact skills, and is ready to play again,” Devlin said.