Peta Hiku will miss at least a month with a fractured eye socket in a blow to the Penrith Panthers.
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Hiku, 24, suffered the injury early in the Panthers' 42-10 loss to the St George Illawarra Dragons on Saturday.
The Panthers said on Monday that coach Anthony Griffin had confirmed, "Hiku will be sidelined for at least one month after sustaining a fractured eye socket".
In their statement, Penrith noted Dragons prop Russell Packer avoided being penalised or cited for the tackle.
The Panthers face the Wests Tigers in round two on Sunday.