Luke Walsh has declared himself "ready for another big year" in 2020 and recently returned to running after fears his career had ended with an ankle injury in last month's Newcastle Rugby League grand final.
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Walsh, who ended up with a new broken bone in his foot and a slight re-fracture in his tibia, played no further part in Wests' 36-0 win over Cessnock on September 22 and after full-time was unsure if he would take the field ever again.
"At the time I thought this is it," Walsh told the Newcastle Herald.
"I went and saw the doctor afterwards [post grand final] for scans and he was more worried about the bone [in my foot] than anything else.
"Two weeks later I went back and it was healing beautifully and that meant I didn't need to have surgery.
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"It was such a big relief. That's what I was hoping to find out.
"It's all good now and I've been back doing a bit of light running.
"I'll definitely be right to go again [next year]."
Walsh, who joined Wests at the end of 2018, played a combined 208 games in the NRL and English Super League from 2007.
He is set to run around with the Rosellas again next year alongside younger brother Ryan and grand final man-of-the-match Ryan Walker. Mark Taufua and Brad Tighe have retired.
Earlier this month Wests appointed Scone-born, NRL premiership winner Todd Lowrie as coach for 2020 following the departure of now Maitland mentor Matt Lantry, who has recruited Alex Langbridge, Chad O'Donnell and Pat Mata'utia from his former Rosellas squad.
Meanwhile, the Pickers have lost Geordie Connelly and Shay Padberg to Kurri Kurri for next season. The Bulldogs also retained Barry McGrady. This follows on from the Coalfields club, who narrowly missed the finals series in 2019, recently securing the services of NRL forward and 15-time international Frank-Paul Nu'uausala.
