South Sydney superstar Latrell Mitchell could lose a finger due to painful tendon injury

South Sydney superstar Latrell Mitchell will meet a surgeon in coming days to determine if he requires a delicate operation to amputate his finger.

Latrell Mitchell (l) and Campbell Graham (r) of the Rabbitohs celebrate with Lachlan Ilias (c). Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty

Latrell Mitchell runs the risk of losing a finger if he ignores fixing painful tendon damage he first suffered two months ago.

The South Sydney superstar will meet with a surgeon in coming days to determine if he requires a delicate operation to fix the tendon.

The alternative to avoiding surgery is that Mitchell wears a splint every day for to eight weeks.

If Mitchell puts both options on the backburner it could lead to ongoing issues and eventual finger amputation.

Former South Sydney and current Roosters forward Angus Crichton had his middle finger amputated in 2017 after ongoing issues related to rupturing the tendon.

Mitchell is eager to avoid such drastic action which is why, as first revealed by this masthead, the Rabbitohs fullback is expected to withdraw from the Kangaroos team for the end-of-season Pacific Championship Test matches against New Zealand and Samoa.

It’s understood Mitchell began wearing a protective brace and strapping over the finger in round 22, when the Rabbitohs beat the Wests Tigers 32-18 in Tamworth.

He continued to brace the finger for the final three matches of his season with Souths.

Latrell Mitchell could be forced to have his finger amputated. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

The painful injury made it at-times difficult for Mitchell to grip the football.

One of the NRL’s biggest names, Mitchell is eager to rehabilitate the injury in order to be ready for South Sydney’s return to 2024 pre-season training in mid-November.

The injury is personally frustrating for Mitchell, who thrives under Test coach Mal Meninga.

Mitchell won the World Cup by playing in the centres for Meninga last year.

His omission from Australia’s Pacific Championship Test team could force Meninga to look towards several new faces in the green and gold with Mitchell not the only unavailability.

Angus Crichton had part of his finger amputated.

Jack Wighton has withdrawn from the representative arena, Valentine Holmes is currently being investigated by the NRL integrity unit and Tom Trbojevic is on the comeback trail from a pec injury.

Newcastle and NSW State of Origin centre Bradman Best and Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs are both likely to come under consideration.

South Sydney surgery shocks rock Kangaroos

Campbell Graham has joined South Sydney teammate Latrell Mitchell on the sidelines for the Kangaroos team with the pair ruled out through surgery.

Graham requires shoulder surgery and won’t take part in the end of season Tri-Nations despite being named in the train-on squad.

Latrell Mitchell. Picture: Matt King/Getty

Campbell Graham. Picture: Matt King/Getty

Graham was considered long-odds to play after struggling in the back end of the season because of an ongoing sternum injury. Injuries robbed him of making his NSW debut earlier this year.

He made his Australian debut at last year’s World Cup where he scored a treble on debut in one of his two games.

Canterbury utility Jake Averillo was also named in the train-on squad and was expected to play in the PM’s XIII side against PNG but he too has been ruled out after suffering a knee injury in his final game for the Bulldogs.

Australia coach Mal Meninga will now have to piece together a new-look centre pairing following Mitchell’s injury and Jack Wighton’s representative retirement.

Queensland duo Valentine Holmes and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow are in the mix. Bradman Best’s late season form has him in calculations while other options including Kotoni Staggs and Stephen Crichton have previously pledged their allegiance to Tonga and Samoa respectively.

Best’s Newcastle teammate Dane Gagai may receive a representative reprieve as Meninga goes through his potential options.

St George Illawarra centre Zac Lomax has been named in the train-on squad but would be considered long odds to make the final 20-man squad.

Meninga is expected to name a PM’s XIII side this week made up of players from the team’s which did not feature in the finals.

Originally published as South Sydney superstar Latrell Mitchell could lose a finger due to painful tendon injury