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Manly's Brett Stewart - Source: Photosport -
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Manly star Brett Stewart is to undergo surgery next week on his
left knee and will be sidelined for up to five months of the NRL
season.
Stewart received the shattering news late on Tuesday night and
coach Des Hasler revealed the extent of the injury at club training
on Wednesday.
The injury is identical to the one he sustained on his right knee
last season which sidelined him from round five until round
25.
Stewart suffered the injury when making a try-saving tackle on
Wests Tigers winger Lote Tuqiri late in Monday night's match at the
Sydney Football Stadium.
"It is a shattering blow to Brett personally and to us as a club
but we have to be positive and he is being positive despite his
recent run of bad luck," said Hasler.
"We proved we can win matches without him last season and we can do
it again.
"It's not the end of the world by any means but it would be
ridiculous not to suggest he won't be missed. He is a champion
player."
Stewart has told team-mates he will be back on the field with them
inside five months.
"He has set himself round 20 and it is good he is setting himself
goals," said Sea Eagles chief executive Graham Lowe.
"The Manly club knows how much of a fighter Brett is and he will be
given the best of medical and rehabilitation support to get himself
back where he belongs as soon as possible.
"He has been through it before and knows what to expect."
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