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Tahu ruled out for season

David Beniuk And Ben Horne 16/05/2011 07:28:01 PM Comments (0)

Timana Tahu's attempt to revive his career at Penrith has suffered a massive setback with the dual international ruled out for the rest of the NRL season.

Scans have confirmed Tahu ruptured a pectoral muscle in Friday night's win over Brisbane and will require surgery.

The injury may also be career-threatening for the 30-year-old, who signed with the Panthers for one year in an attempt to get his troubled career back on track.

Tahu left Parramatta in clouded circumstances after a tumultuous 2010 which included two highly publicised racism rows and a suspension for a blatant high shot in a game against his former club Newcastle.

He took time off from the Eels twice, mid-season and during the off-season, to deal with personal issues reportedly related to the race incidents.

Tahu signed with the Panthers in March and has been used in both his preferred position of centre and as a back-rower by coach Matt Elliott.

He would have been hoping to convince new rugby league manager Phil Gould he was worth re-signing on a longer deal.

"Gus started today with us so undoubtedly we'll be looking at every aspect of recruiting and retention over the next few days so it's really difficult to answer that," Panthers chief executive Mick Leary told AAP.

"We've got a great opinion of Timana so we'll see what happens.

"I think the first priority is we'll get a coach and then we'll go from there."

Tahu's injury is also a blow to the struggling Panthers who, despite their a 33-10 win over the Broncos, have won just three from nine in 2011.

They have also lost in-form winger/fullback Michael Gordon for the season with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

The club's only good news on the injury front was prop Tim Grant's likely return from a hamstring strain against the Wests Tigers at Campbelltown on Saturday night.

Meanwhile, Sydney Roosters centre Kane Linnett will miss 4-6 weeks with a shoulder injury sufferedin Sunday's 18-4 loss to Cronulla.

The Sharks received a boost, re-signing rising star Albert Kelly for another three years, a deal that will keep him at the club until the end of 2014.

With around half their squad off-contract, coach Shane Flanagan signalled earlier this year that many players were playing for their futures, but he said Kelly's signing was a priority.

"Albert is an exciting young talent and a potential superstar ... his signing is a massive boost for the club," Flanagan said.

"He's young and unpredictable and his start to the season really indicates that."

The 20-year-old cousin of Test centre Greg Inglis is expected to return from a broken leg in the round 15 clash with Canterbury.

"Sharks fans should be excited because I think we're going to hit our straps soon and with a few more games under our belts and some of the boys coming back from injury, I think we can really rattle the competition," he said.

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