NATHAN Peats will undergo spinal surgery on Friday with Parramatta officials confident the tough hooker will make a complete recovery in time for next season’s kick off.
Peats suffered a fracture to his C6 vertebra in the second half of the Eels loss to the Sydney Roosters 12 days ago.
Playing the final 36 minutes with a broken neck, Peats finished the match with a remarkable total of 59 tackles.
Incredibly, it wasn’t until the morning after the match that Peats complained of neck soreness when he was then advised to undergo precautionary scans.
Leading spinal surgeon Dr Richard Parkinson, who has previously operated on former NRL star Ben Ross and champion jockey Darren Beadman, will perform the delicate procedure for Peats.
The operation will include the insertion of a plate and a bone graft of his vertebrae.
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Parramatta coach Brad Arthur said the club would do everything possible to ensure Peats makes a full recovery, with the plan for the 24-year-old to increase his workload in late December.
“Our medical team are confident he’ll be able to slowly apply more pressure to his training and resume full training after Christmas,’’ Arthur said.
“But we’ll ultimately be guided by Peatsy’s rehabilitation and recovery. We’re not going to rush him.’’
The injury has assured Peats is unable to finish this season with the Eels — the second time in as many years after suffering an ACL knee injury last year.
Nathan Peats will undergo surgery this Friday Source: News Corp Australia
His omission, as the Eels prepare for their home clash with Cronulla on Saturday, has been compounded by an already overflowing casualty ward of season-ending injuries which includes Beau Champion, Richie Fa’aoso, Danny Wicks, Anthony Watmough, Brad Takairangi, Danny Wicks, Kaysa Pritchard and Kenny Edwards.
Despite the precarious nature of Peats’ neck injury, the Eels are believed to have little interest in luring unwanted Wests Tigers captain Robbie Farah.
With Isaac De Gois contracted next season, the Eels coaching staff have a high opinion of Pritchard, while current North Queensland rake Cameron King has also signed a one-year deal with Parramatta for 2016.
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Good to see a news story with some quotes. Cheers Eel for Life.