Cronulla Sharks suffer major blow as wing ruled out for the season

Cronulla have suffered a major injury setback with winger Sione Katoa to miss the remainder of the NRL season after undergoing surgery on a pectoral injury.

The Sharks’ top tryscorer sustained the injury after scoring a runaway try to seal Cronulla’s win over North Queensland last weekend.

That was Katoa’s 14th try of a prolific campaign and leaves the Sharks without a key weapon heading into the finals.

Cronulla will begin life without Katoa this weekend against ladder-leading Penrith.

Meanwhile, Canterbury have been handed a big boost with star winger Josh Addo-Carr a strong chance to play this weekend after being cleared of serious injury.

Addo-Carr went off in last Sunday’s loss to South Sydney with fears he had suffered a glute tear that might have meant he was unable to finish the season.

The injury would have also prevented the winger from pressing his case to earn Australian Test selection for the Rugby League World Cup later this year.

Addo-Carr was overlooked by NSW in the 2-1 State of Origin series defeat.

But the Bulldogs have confirmed the winger’s sole concern is a troublesome ankle problem and he could line up for Sunday’s game against Gold Coast.

If he isn’t cleared to play against the Titans, the Bulldogs expect their winger, who has 11 tries in 16 games, will be fit for their clash with Newcastle the following Sunday.

The Dogs also have English international Luke Thompson available after the prop complained of delayed concussion symptoms and missed their last six games.

The Titans, meanwhile, expect livewire fullback Jayden Campbell to return on Sunday after being sidelined since round 13 with a hamstring injury.