Luke Lewis may not play again for Penrith Panthers

PENRITH legend Luke Lewis may have played his last game for the club, with the star lock awaiting tests after undergoing neck surgery.

PENRITH star Luke Lewis may have played his last game for Penrith with coach Ivan Cleary admitting it's too early to say if the injured veteran would line up again this year.

Lewis had surgery to remove a lump in his neck on Monday and the club is awaiting the results of further tests.

Cleary said he wasn't sure if the 11-year club stalwart, who joins Cronulla next year, would play again in Panthers colours.

"Not sure yet. He's had surgery and at this stage we're hopeful that he may be able to play a few weeks down the track but it's a bit too early to say just yet,'' Cleary said when asked if Lewis was finished at Penrith.

"We are still awaiting results from a couple of tests, so that's about all I can say at the moment.''

Lewis had been complaining of neck pains for weeks before a biopsy revealed an abnormality in his neck.

He's missed Penrith's past two matches, wins over Sydney Roosters and Cronulla.

Penrith take on Melbourne away on Saturday afternoon.

There are five matches to go in the NRL regular season with the Panthers out of the running to make the finals.