PNG Kumuls and Panthers forward Stanton Albert may not be ready for the national rugby league team in the upcoming Pacific Test next month.
Asked via email if he would be available for the PNG Kumuls, he said: “At the moment I’m just doing rehab and I don’t think I will be ready for the Pacific Test.
“I did my ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and MCL (medial collateral ligament) on my left knee so I have full reconstruction.
“For the recovery, everything went well so by next week I should start to run and do physical training.”
Young Albert was one of our best in last year’s Test match as he bulldozed his way to score a memorable try. It would be a huge setback for the Kumuls selectors.
However, the Hunters duo Henry Wan and Essau Siune, Burleigh Bears Luke Page, Townsville Blackhawk’s Willie Minoga and Wests Tigers Rod Griffin will be on calculation for the starting prop position and bench positions.
Albert left for Australia early last year after signing a two-year deal with the Penrith Panthers as a member of their Holden Cup squad.
The 20-year-old hails from Southern Highlands.