Heโs played just one game since his return from extended concussion symptoms and an overseas trip to deal with family matters, but itโs been confirmed that Canterbury Bulldogs prop Luke Thompson will miss this weekendโs clash with Cronulla due to Covid.
Thompson was a notable absence from the teamโs training session during the week, though at the time it was reported that he was suffering from โillnessโ.
The club has now confirmed Thompsonโs Covid status, which means heโll be required to isolate for the next seven days as he races the clock to pass the NRLโs Graduated Return-to-Play guidelines.
With their final game of the season against Manly to take place next Friday, any unanticipated delays in his recovery could effectively rule him out for the season.
Itโs been a disappointing campaign for Thompson after suffering lingering concussion symptoms following the teamโs Round 12 loss to the St George Illawarra Dragons. He was then confronted with a family emergency back home in England, and only made his NRL return in last weekโs loss to the Eels.
After a promising return to the field, Thompson had been named to start at lock this week as Tevita Pangai Jnr made way. With question marks over Joe Stimson's recovery from a knee injury, it remains to be seen if Pangai comes back into the starting side following his highly-scrutinised demotion.
