Vatuvei set for surgery, to miss three matches

BEN STANLEY

Last updated 17:13 21/06/2012

JASON OXENHAM/Fairfax NZ

UNDER THE KNIFE: Warriors wing Manu Vatuvei will miss NRL matches against the North Queensland Cowboys, Gold Coast Titans and Brisbane Broncos as he undergoes surgery on his left knee.

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Giant Warriors winger Manu Vatuvei is set for surgery on his injured left knee, which will see him miss his side's next three NRL clashes against the Cowboys, Titans and Broncos.

The 26-year-old suffered the injury during his two-try performance in the club's 30-16 win against the Panthers on June 11.

While he had to withdraw from the side for Saturday night's match against the Sharks, it was initially hoped he would recover after treatment to play against the Cowboys following this weekend's bye.

However, team doctor John Mayhew today confirmed Vatuvei would now need an operation. Mayhew said Vatuvei had meniscal tears to the medial and lateral ligaments in his left knee.

Vatuvei has been booked in for surgery tomorrow and is expected to be out for three to four weeks, leaving him in line to return for the Warriors' 20th-round encounter with against the Knights at Mount Smart Stadium on July 21.

Until the Sharks clash, Vatuvei had played each of the club's first 13 matches, scoring seven tries to leave him just three short of becoming the first Warriors player to score 100 NRL tries.

He suffered the injury earlier this month during the Warriors' win over the Ivan Cleary-coached Panthers in Sydney.

"I'm not too sure what's wrong with it. I think it's just a little tweak," he said at the time.

"I ran for the ball in that game, turned around and hurt it a bit.

"I played on it throughout the last 15 minutes and it was all good.

"Both knees have been problems for me in the past.

"But I've just got to be careful with them and look after them."

Vatuvei's injury could mean more game time for Warriors Under-20s prospect Omar Slaimankhel, who made his first-grade debut against the Sharks, while Glen Fisiiahi could also earn a recall.

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