Lockyer out, Hodges racing the clock - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Lockyer out, Hodges racing the clock

14/04/2008 05:01:25 PM Comments (0)

Champion Brisbane five-eighth Darren Lockyer has ruled out attempting another comeback against the Gold Coast on Friday while Test centre Justin Hodges is in doubt with a neck injury.

Lockyer will give his troublesome right knee more rest time in a bid to get back to playing in time for Australia's May 9 Test with New Zealand and the upcoming Origin series.

Hodges meanwhile will have intensive physio on his neck which he hurt attempting to prevent Newcastle's Kurt Gidley from scoring the first try in Sunday's win over the Knights.

A concerned Hodges said potentially career-threatening neck injuries to former team-mates Gorden Tallis and Brent Tate had made getting his latest injury scanned a big priority.

"I want to get the scans done today," stressed Hodges after spending most of Sunday night dosing himself up on painkillers.

"There's been a lot of neck injuries with Tatie (Brent Tate) and Gordie (Gorden Tallis) and guys like that.

"It's something very important and something I'm taking very seriously.

"I heard sort of, probably not a crack, but more a grinding feeling in my neck.

"I won't put myself in jeopardy if I don't feel it's right."

While Hodges faces four days of intensive physio to get on the field, Lockyer spared the Broncos a week of media distractions by declaring he will miss the clash.

Lockyer had been scheduled to have his right knee reviewed by Brisbane's medical staff this week but has decided to delay his comeback another week.

"The boys are not under any pressure and they're going pretty good," said Lockyer, whose knee soreness following off-season surgery has restricted him to about 20 minutes of playing time in the past three weeks.

Lockyer dismissed fears he may yet have to go under the surgeon's knife again saying his knee was progressing nicely and was almost pain free.

"The thinking was if it didn't improve in a fortnight they'd go in and have another look," said Lockyer.

"But it's going pretty good at the moment."

Lockyer hasn't ruled out being available for the Kangaroos in May or for Queensland in Origin if he makes it back on the field against South Sydney the following week.

Hodges said it would be very disappointing to miss the Titans clash at the Gold Coast's new Skilled Park home ground.

"For me to miss the game would be extremely disappointing. It's probably one of the biggest games of the year," he said.

The Titans had their own dramas today with five-eighth and dual international Mat Rogers charged with a grade two dangerous throw by the NRL's match review committee.

Stunned club officials said today they would meet with legal representative Geoff Bellew on Tuesday to review video evidence.

It's likely the Titans will seek to have the charge downgraded at Wednesday night's judiciary hearing so he misses just one game, not three.

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