Macquarie’s Adam Swadling has been cleared of any major damage after being released from hospital on Monday but Scorpions coach Adam Bettridge doesn’t expect the prop back for a few weeks.
It’s believed Swadling suffered pinch nerves following a tackle late in Sunday’s 22-12 loss to Western Suburbs at Cessnock.
Swadling was taken from the field and after full-time transported by ambulance while wearing a neck brace.
“He [Swadling] got out Monday after spending the night in hospital, and from all reports it was to do with pinched nerves in his neck,” Bettridge said.
“Big picture, it’s better than it could have been that’s for sure. But I’d say he’ll be out for a few weeks.”
Adding more insult to Macquarie’s ever-growing injury toll, already featuring halfback Andy Sumner (broken arm) and fullback Kyle Eather (knee), is veteran forward Daniel Abraham (pectoral) and co-captain Nathan Cantor (knee).
Abraham is booked to see a specialist on Tuesday while centre Cantor played the second half with his complaint.
The Scorpions also have five players out suspended.
Macquarie’s Brad Russell is due to face the Newcastle Rugby League judiciary on Wednesday night following his part in an on-field brawl the weekend before last.
Eight players in the reserve-grade fixture were charged with striking, but Russell was the only person referred directly to the panel.
Russell’s Scorpions teammates Logan Edwards, Luke Marks (3 weeks), Sam Abraham and Tye Alchin (2 weeks) all took early guilty pleas last week.
Opposition players, from Cessnock, Sam Wilson (3 weeks) and Darrin Henry (2 weeks) also took early guilty pleas at the same time.
The Goannas’ Brett Stevens (2 weeks) successfully reduced his grading from high to medium at the Newcastle RL judiciary on Thursday night.
The incident occurred in the 69th minute of the 22-all draw at Lyall Peacock Field on June 16.
