Titans sweat on Bailey - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Titans sweat on Bailey

26/06/2008 09:20:39 PM Comments (0)

Gold Coast co-captain Luke Bailey underwent an arthroscope in Brisbane amid fears he will miss the rest of the NRL season with an ankle injury.

TV reports on Thursday night claimed Bailey would be sidelined until 2009.

But a Titans spokesman said the club was still sweating on a final call on the former Test prop after he underwent arthroscopic surgery at about 5pm AEST.

It is understood Bailey's fibula and tibia have separated in his ankle joint.

If a pin is not inserted, he is still expected to miss six to eight weeks with the injury sustained in Monday night's heartbreaking one point loss to South Sydney.

The Gold Coast are already reeling from the news that prop Aaron Cannings has been ruled out for six weeks after breaking his leg in the same game.

Titans coach John Cartwright was trying to keep his emotions in check when the Gold Coast returned from a three day camp at Coffs Harbour.

Backrower Daniel Conn (shoulder) was also injured in the Souths clash and underwent scans.

Preston Campbell (eye) also went down in the one point thriller but is expected to bounce back in the Gold Coast's must win game against the Dragons at Skilled Park on Saturday night.

"I don't think that has happened to us before where we have lost four players in the course of a game," he said.

"But it was how we lost them too. We lost them in a real short space of time after each other.

"We have gone to having everyone available down to having nine or 10 unavailable."

The injuries have opened the door for highly touted Titans under-20s prop Will Matthews to make his first grade debut on Saturday night.

The former Australian Schoolboys backrower on Wednesday re-signed with the Titans until the end of 2011.

"We've got a lot more depth in the squad this year. We could lose Bailey and Cannings long term, Daniel Conn as well," Cartwright said.

"Will Matthews gets a chance and he won't be looking at who is not on the paddock, he will just want to get on and rip in."

Meanwhile, controversial Titans winger Chris Walker says he can play on for another eight years.

The former Queensland Origin flyer is recovering from a second straight Achilles injury.

"It is going a lot better than when I first did it back in November," he told Titans TV.

"It has been hard watching the boys playing at a beautiful new stadium and winning all these games and not feeling like I have been a part of it - I can't wait for next year.

"In the last four years I have probably played 28 to 30 games, 35 maximum. I could play until I am 34, 36.

"I'm 28 now so hopefully I could have another eight years in the game maximum."

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