Dyldam Parramatta Eels halfback Chris Sandow and centre Brad Takairangi are both expected to return to the field in Round One of the 2015 NRL Telstra Premiership season following ankle injuries sustained in the NRL Auckland Nines tournament over the weekend.
Takairangi was absent from Day 2 of competition in Auckland with ankle ligament damage, while Sandow sustained his own ligament damage in the Eels’ semi-final loss to the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
The injury will see Sandow miss the 2015 Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars on the Gold Coast on February 13 as he continues his recovery from injury.
His teammate Will Hopoate has also been officially withdrawn from the NRL All Stars side as he rehabilitates from a groin injury that ruled him out of the Auckland Nines.
Second-rower Kenny Edwards has torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and will undergo surgery in the coming weeks.
Hooker Kaysa Pritchard will also have surgery for a torn pectoral muscle.
