Penrith’s hopes of making one final push into the NRL top eight have been dealt another blow after losing forward Isaah Yeo to a season-ending shoulder injury.
The Panthers announced on Wednesday that Yeo has had a shoulder reconstruction after aggravating the injury in Friday’s loss to North Queensland.
Yeo had initially chosen to delay surgery when he busted his shoulder in a defeat to Canberra in late May, which was a part of their six-game losing streak.
The 24-year-old returned four weeks later and appeared in 11 straight games before copping another blow in the first half in Townsville.
Yeo bravely came back on the field in the second half and scored a try but the Panthers eventually fell to a fourth loss in five games.
They now sit one point outside the top eight in 10th spot with two games remaining, including Saturday’s clash with reigning premiers the Sydney Roosters.
Yeo’s absence has forced coach Ivan Cleary to bring Moses Leota into the run-on side, and hand Billy Burns his first grade debut from the bench.
Burns will become the eighth player to make his debut for Penrith this year, the most of any club in the NRL.