Penrith Panthers head coach Ivan Cleary has provided a key injury update on star prop James Fisher-Harris, who sustained a medial ligament strain in his knee during the Panthers’ recent clash.
Speaking at a press conference earlier today, Cleary confirmed the severity of the injury and outlined a 6 to 8-week recovery timeframe, ruling Fisher-Harris out of several crucial upcoming matches.
> “It’s obviously a blow,” Cleary said. “Fish is one of our leaders up front, and we’ll definitely miss his presence. The good news is the injury doesn’t require surgery, and we’re confident he’ll be back before finals.”
The injury deepens Penrith’s growing concerns in the forward pack, with Isaiah Papali’i and Mavrik Geyer also sidelined with MCL issues.
Fisher-Harris, a two-time premiership winner and one of the NRL’s most formidable front-rowers, has been pivotal to Penrith’s dominance in recent years. His absence will force Cleary to dig deeper into the club’s forward depth, with Lindsay Smith and Spencer Leniu expected to shoulder a heavier workload.
Panthers fans will now look to Round 24 or 25 as the likely target for Fisher-Harris’ return, just in time for the club’s finals campaign.
Stay tuned for further updates on his rehab progress.
