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Nathan Cleary faces foot injury ahead of NRL preliminary finals
Penrith Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary is facing a fitness test ahead of the NRL preliminary finals after scans revealed a stress-related bone issue in his right foot. The injury, attributed by coach Ivan Cleary to overuse from running and kicking, was discovered following Cleary's performance in a qualifying-final win against the Roosters.
To manage the injury, Cleary is expected to rely on mental visualisation and rehearsal to prepare for the upcoming match while reducing physical workload. Coach Ivan Cleary indicated that the player will need to lean on these mental techniques as he pulls back from intensive training.
Newcastle player Kalyn Ponga, who suffered similar stress fractures during a previous pre-season, expressed confidence in Cleary's ability to play through the discomfort. Ponga noted that while the injury can be painful during warm-ups, it often becomes manageable once active play begins.
Entities
Ivan Cleary · Kalyn Ponga · NRL · Nathan Cleary · Penrith Panthers
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Kalyn Ponga was sidelined for five to six weeks due to similar stress fractures. www.theage.com.au
- [● 2 SOURCES] The injury is the result of overuse from running and kicking. www.theage.com.au
- [● 3 SOURCES] Nathan Cleary has a stress-related bone issue in his right foot. www.theage.com.au
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Nathan Cleary will use mental visualisation to prepare for the preliminary final.