Melbourne Storm full-back Scott Drinkwater will miss at least three months after suffering a ruptured pectoral muscle.
Drinkwater, 21, was expected to be Billy Slater's replacement at full-back, but will now miss a huge part of the NRL season.
Advertisement
He suffered the injury during the Storm's 14-6 loss trial loss to North Queensland Cowboys in Mackay on Saturday.
Melbourne confirmed in a statement on Monday that Drinkwater would need surgery, sidelining him for "three to four months".
Injury Update
— Melbourne Storm (@storm) March 4, 2019
Unfortunately, Drinky has a confirmed ruptured pec and will be seeing a surgeon in the coming days.
He is expected to be out for 3-4 months - All the best with your recovery, Drinky! pic.twitter.com/NDxuzcaRQI
The Storm open their season against Brisbane Broncos in Melbourne on March 14.
