NRL 2022: Sydney Roosters expect Luke Keary back for Round 1 after ankle surgery, ACL injury

He missed most of the 2021 season, but Roosters insist Luke Keary will be fit for Round 1, despite being spotted in a moon boot.

Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson has allayed fears over the fitness of Luke Keary after revealing the star underwent ankle surgery late last year which slowed his progress in coming back from an ACL injury.

Robinson was quizzed about the shape his playmaker was in after the 29-year-old was spotted in a moon boot this week.

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Luke Keary is expected to return to full fitness by the end of the month.

The three-time premiership-winning coach insists Keary will be back to full fitness by the end of the month and is on track for the season opener against Newcastle on March 12.

Keary missed most of last season due to the ACL injury, but also went under the knife in October to repair a longstanding ankle issue.

Luke Keary has been in a moon boot after having a bone spur surgically removed from his ankle late last year. Is expected to commence field running shortly & is hoped he will be back in full training in 3-4 weeks. In no doubt for Round 1 at this stage

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) January 12, 2022

“He’s always had ankle or foot issues from his former days to now. So he just had a bone spur removed in October just to free up that ankle a bit more,” Robinson said on SEN Radio on Wednesday.

“But he’s cool, he’ll be right by the end of January. He’ll be out in the next couple of days to get back to running. Looking forward to having Luke back that’s for sure.”

The Roosters are widely tipped to again contend for this year’s premiership with the key returns of both Keary, and front-rower Lindsay Collins.

Luke Keary suffered a torn ACL in the Roosters round three match against the Rabbitohs in 2021. Picture: Getty Images.

Robinson also revealed strike centre Joseph Manu is self-isolating due to being a COVID-19 close contact - one of a number of players to be affected by the virus.

A number of teams have had their season preparations affected due to players testing positive to COVID-19, or being forced to stay at home.

“Majority have had Covid or are going through Covid at the moment,” he said.

“As a percentage I’d say we would have about 75 per cent that have had it or are going through it at the moment.

“So out of 36, we had 11 training on the first day back but also a couple of those guys had had it earlier (over the Christmas break).

“But it’s cool, it’s not different to what everybody else is going through.”

The NRL and players union met on Tuesday to discuss the restrictions placed on players during the pre-season, however Robinson insisted there were no issues within his squad.

“I can tell you I have not heard one word about any complaint about the restrictions or why we have to do this,” he said.

“To be honest, I’ve heard nothing — not one complaint or question.

“Everyone can see what’s in front of us at the moment, so I haven’t heard a thing from our players about it. I don’t see it as a big deal at the moment.”