The Bulldogs have been handed a mixed injury update ahead of their important clash against the New Zealand Warriors.
Canterbury are currently on a high as they look to crack the top four after qualifying for a first finals campaign since 2016.
Like any club, they are being impacted by injuries in this late stage of the season, and have to deal with injury problems to important players as they travel across the ditch.
They will be without Josh Curran this weekend after the forward sustained a shoulder injury in the round 24 win over the Dolphins in Rockhampton.
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Curran picked up the injury as the match reached its conclusion, and he was pictured sitting on the bench in some discomfort after the final siren; and according to a report from Fox Sports, Curran has been a confirmed absentee from tonight's match in Auckland.
Josh Curran won’t play for the Bulldogs tonight, succumbing to the AC joint injury he has been playing through for a number of weeks.
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) August 23, 2024
Mostly a pain management issue (minimal risk of long term/permanent impairment) but painful +++. Bulldogs indicate he could be out til Round 27. pic.twitter.com/tlt0JlY768
The timeline of the injury hasn't been officially announced, but the Bulldogs will be hoping to have him back before the finals.
Curran has been impressive for the Belmore-based side this season, playing 21 times for the club after joining from the Warriors in the offseason.
Able to play at second-row and lock, he has scored three tries as Canterbury have had a brilliant second half of the season, lifting them from the bottom half of the table to the finals, and they will be a dark horse to make an impact in September.
Of his 21 matches, eight have been starts with the rest being off the bench.
Whilst the loss of Curran is a blow, it has been softened slightly by the return of Max King from an injury of his own.
The 26-year-old prop has been missing since Round 18 after he fractured his wrist in a golden point win over the Warriors, with King previously starting in all 15 games for the Bulldogs up to that point.
He has averaged 124 running metres per game, and has been at the Bulldogs for three seasons after stints at the Titans and Storm.
