Nathan Ross' bold comeback plans with the Kurri Bulldogs are on hold for a second time after the former Knights crowd favourite suffered another injury setback at training on Tuesday night.
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Ross had been hopeful of playing his first game for the Bulldogs this season against Wyong on Saturday, two years after being medically retired from the NRL.
A torn calf, suffered during the pre-season, had kept him out of the opening five rounds of the premiership but he appeared to have fully recovered until he felt his calf pop again.
"I'm gutted - I got through probably 90 per cent of the session without a problem then right at the end, I felt it go again," Ross said.
"It's really deflating. I was really hoping to get a game under the belt against Wyong leading into the traditional big clash against Cessnock the following week.
"But it's back to the drawing board again. I'll get a scan and I'm hoping it's not too serious and it might only be a few extra weeks out but we'll see."
Ross admitted his body might be trying to tell him something.
"Yeah, I've been thinking that lately but the mind still wants to play so I'm not giving up on it," he said.
"Kurri gave me the springboard to go on and play in the NRL with the Knights back in 2015 and I really want to give something back to the club and the Newcastle competition if I can. But the body is getting in the way of that though at the moment."
Ross had been named to start at fullback for the Bulldogs against the Kangaroos, who are coming off a big win over the previous unbeaten leaders Cessnock at Cessnock last Saturday.
Ross played 60 NRL games for the Knights from 2015 to 2018 before chronic groin and pelvic injuries forced him out of the game. He was medically retired in April, 2019.
In the latest edition of Toohey's News: The Podcast out on Thursday, Ross controversially says his retirement came after he was allegedly told there was nothing wrong with him and to just play through the pain. He pointed the finger at a Knights high performance staffer, who he claimed was not interested in diagnosing his injuries.
"I could hardly run and in a lot of pain but at the time, was told I was soft and to play through it," Ross said.
POINTS TABLE: Macquarie, Cessnock, Central 10; Maitland, The Entrance, Wyong 8; Kurri 6, Wests, Souths, Lakes 2.
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