Graham to have surgery ahead of World Cup

England forward James Graham will miss the next month of NRL action to undergo minor surgery to correct a persistent neck problem.

The injury has plagued the Canterbury Bulldogs captain over the last few weeks and has seen him play less minutes than usually expected.

It is believed Graham has reluctantly agreed to the surgery meaning he will miss a crucial stage of the season, with the Bulldogs finals chances hanging by a thread after their defeat to the Warriors on Friday.

However, the timing of the surgery may be beneficial to England with Graham likely to return in early August, giving him several matches at the end of the season before the World Cup.

Despite sitting 13th on the NRL ladder, Canterbury are still only four points behind eighth placed Parramatta Eels who are their next opponents on Thursday.

By the time Graham returns, expected approximately round 22, their will only be five regular season matches remaining of the 2017 campaign.