Mitchell ruled out for at least a month, surgeon to determine if ...
Latrell Mitchell will miss at least the next month of football as he sweats on a date with a specialist on Tuesday in the hope of avoiding season-ending surgery.
His injury has opened the door for Newcastle centre Bradman Best to return to the Origin arena for the first time since his stunning debut for the Blues in game three last year.
The moment Latrell Mitchell suffered a foot injuryCredit: Nine
Best has to get through Newcastle’s game against Canberra on Sunday afternoon to solidify his spot in coach Michael Maguire’s team for the decider against Queensland.
Mitchell is no chance of playing in the State of Origin series decider at Suncorp Stadium on July 17 and has been told that he will be unavailable for South Sydney for at least a month with a foot injury.
Both player and club are hopeful Mitchell doesn’t require surgery. If he does, the superstar fullback’s season is likely over.
He suffered the injury after 20 minutes of South Sydney’s game against the Eels on Thursday night when he drifted across the field and was tackled by Dylan Brown.
Mitchell during his star turn for NSW in Melbourne last month after a three-year Origin exile.Credit: Getty Images
The 27-year-old told Souths officials his foot was sore at half-time, but did not receive a painkiller and was able to finish the game, during which he scored a try and kicked two goals.
Mitchell had a second set of scans on Saturday afternoon to determine the severity of the Lisfranc injury, a similar injury to what has kept Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga out for the last 11 weeks.
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Maguire has a decision to make regarding Mitchell’s replacement, mulling over Joseph Suaalii (who missed game two through suspension after a high shot on Reece Walsh in game one), Manly’s Tom Trbojevic, Canterbury’s Matt Burton and Newcastle’s Bradman Best.
Best is expected to get the nod at left centre, leaving Canterbury’s Stephen Crichton on the right side for the Blues.
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