Gareth Widdop will take on a coaching role with St George Illawarra Dragons while he recovers from shoulder reconstruction surgery.
The luckless England playmaker is expected to be out until August after dislocating his right shoulder in a 25-24 NRL victory over Brisbane Broncos last week.
Dragons coach Paul McGregor said Widdop, who underwent surgery on the same shoulder at the end of last season, can still play a part during his rehabilitation.
"I spoke to him last night and he is in good spirits," McGregor said of Widdop, who will return to his homeland to join Warrington Wolves at the end of the season.
"The operation was a success as far as we know and he is due back at some stage during the year, so that is a positive for the football team.
"I think everyone knows the quality of Gareth, and Gareth won't be too far from everything that happens this year.
"Even though he won't be on the field he will be highly involved around training and around the coaching side of it."
