South Sydney superstar Latrell Mitchell left training early on Monday morning and is set to miss his side\u2019s clash against the Eels on Thursday, with teammate Jye Gray describing the injury setback as \u201cdevastating\u201d as NSW fans hold their breath to see if the strike centre will be ruled out long term.<\/p>\n
Mitchell missed the first two games of the Origin series with a back injury but was set to return for the Bunnies against Parramatta to prove his fitness for a potential NSW return in next month\u2019s decider.<\/p>\n
The world\u2019s best centre was in good spirits on the Matty Johns Show on Sunday and then started Monday\u2019s training session with his teammates but headed back inside after about 30 minutes before he left the facility.<\/p>\n
It remains unclear whether it was a flare up of his bulging disc or if it was a new injury, but either way it\u2019s a huge blow for the Rabbitohs and Blues, with Mitchell unlikely to be picked for NSW given his last game was back in round 11. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe brings such an energy and a presence to training, and when we\u2019re out there on the field, you know when he\u2019s next to you,\u201d Gray said. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou just want to see all your teammates get out on the field and not have these injury setbacks. But he will be back, so we\u2019re hopeful. We don\u2019t know how bad anything is at the moment, (but it\u2019s) obviously devastating for him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have no idea (what the injury is). By the time we got back in after training, he was gone, so I actually have no idea what it is.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was devastating that he had to go off, but obviously we have a next man up mentality, and it was at the start of training, so whoever filled in there at the end just has to come in, do a job, and fill the shoes that he left.\u201d<\/p>\n
South Sydney forward Lachlan Hubner said it was \u201chappy days\u201d as a Queenslander for Mitchell to potentially miss the decider, but Gray put state loyalties aside if it meant having their star centre back on deck. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s my teammate so I want him to be playing,\u201d the fullback said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNSW will probably want him back. I think Queensland still have the team to win, but as a teammate and as a person, you don\u2019t want to see anyone injured ever so we want him back as soon as possible.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had a couple of byes (earlier in the season) and everyone got off, and I think he was still in here training. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat just goes to show how badly he does want to get out on the field and represent our club. He\u2019s putting in the work for sure. It\u2019s just an unfortunate run of luck, and he will be back soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jack Wighton could be a shock inclusion this week after training strongly with a big brace to protect the forearm he broke earlier this season.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe brings a lot of experience with over 200 NRL games and representative football,\u201d Rabbitohs prop Junior Tatola said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe brings a lot of energy, so if he does play then it\u2019d be great to have him back. If he doesn\u2019t we\u2019ve got boys to back up.\u201d<\/p>\n