NRL Early Mail round 11: Jaeman Salmon to undergo surgery, Matty Nicholson facing extended period out

Canterbury’s stunning comeback victory over Canberra has come at a cost with one of their key cogs in their forward pack set to miss over two months of football. Plus, the latest news from the Raiders’ camp.

Canterbury’s decimated forward pack has taken another blow after revelations Jaeman Salmon will be sidelined for over two months.

It comes as Canberra’s capitulation against Canterbury also came at a massive cost with fears Englishman Matty Nicholson could be facing an extended period on the sidelines.

Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould has revealed Salmon will go under the knife in the coming days to repair an ankle injury suffered against the Raiders, ruling him out for the next 10 weeks.

Salmon was spotted with ice strapped to his right ankle and on crutches after the clash, leaving at GIO Stadium in a moon boot.

Scans on Sunday confirmed coach Cameron Ciraldo’s worst fears ahead of this week’s clash against the Sydney Roosters.

“Jaemon Salmon scans have revealed a fractured ankle… He will require surgery. Probably 10 weeks return to play. It is what it is. That’s football,” Gould posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Jaeman Salmon on crutches. Picture: Fox League

Canterbury’s forward stocks are already stretched with Jacob Preston, Sitili Tupouniua and Josh Curran unavailable through suspension.

Salmon’s untimely injury, is likely to see Ciraldo turn to the likes of rookie forwards Jack Underhill and Luke Smith on Tuesday, when he names his team to take on the Roosters at Accor Stadium.

In Canberra, Nicholson will be sent for scans on Monday but it’s understood that after initial assessments medical staff fear the forward has suffered a fractured fibula and would require surgery.

The backrower, who has been a revelation for the Raiders on the right edge, hobbled from the field in the final minute of Saturday’s loss to the Bulldogs.

Nicholson was seen clutching at his left ankle after it got caught under the weight of Bulldogs centre Bronson Xerri in tackle.

Matty Nicholson is facing an extended period on the sidelines. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

Coach Ricky Stuart also feared the worst for Nicholson after the match.

“His weight-bearing isn’t good,” Stuart said on Saturday.

“We just hope it’s not a bad syndesmosis, hopefully not out for too long.”

A serious syndesmosis injury could leave Nicholson out injured for up to eight weeks, while a fibula fracture could mean even longer on the sidelines.

Nicholson’s injury is likely to force a re-shuffle ahead of this week’s clash against the Gold Coast Titans. Workhorse Zac Hosking, who started at prop against the Bulldogs, is an option for Stuart on the edge. While Corey Horsburgh (concussion) is expected to be available for selection and is an option at prop for the Raiders coach.