Luke Thompson given huge boost

Yesterday it was said that England star and former St Helens man Luke Thompson had been dealt a huge blow going into the new NRL season with the Canterbury Bulldogs.

Thompson has been a hit down under since leaving Super League in 2020 having won the Harry Sunderland Award in the 2019 Grand Final.

However, he might not play a minute of action in 2023 after Bulldogs chief Phil Gould revealed he was set to be out for at least six months and it could be more depending on surgery.

He took to Twitter to say:

“Unfortunately Luke Thompson’s injury is quite serious. Prognosis is for minimum 6 months recovery. Possibly longer depending on surgery type. Very sad for Luke and the club. Thunderbolts happen.”

Unfortunately Luke Thompson’s injury is quite serious. Prognosis is for minimum 6 months recovery. Possibly longer depending on surgery type. Very sad for Luke and the club. Thunderbolts happen.

— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) February 28, 2023

However, now Gould has given a much more encouraging update:

“Doctor report. Luke Thompson suffered Rupturing of the Lisfranc ligament and a couple of small midfoot fractures to lateral cuneiform and cuboid. He’ll require surgical review. Hopefully tight-ropes will be adequate.

“Surgeon today investigated Luke Thompson X-ray & injury. He would like to MRI the injury in 2 weeks time when swelling subsides, hoping fracture is not as bad as X-rays depicts. Need to X-ray whilst weight-bearing. Best case 12-14 weeks, but we will take it. Fingers crossed.”

Surgeon today investigated Luke Thompson X-ray & injury. He would like to MRI the injury in 2 weeks time when swelling subsides, hoping fracture is not as bad as X-rays depicts. Need to X-ray whilst weight-bearing. Best case 12-14 weeks, but we will take it. Fingers crossed.

— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) March 1, 2023

So, his lay off may be much shorter than initially thought.

If not, it could also damage his career at Canterbury with the Bulldogs always trying to balance the cap which nearly led to a move to Wests Tigers, to Melbourne Storm and back to Super League in the past.

Speaking during last year’s Rugby League World Cup, Thompson that he was very happy to be back playing in England and alongside some of his former St Helens teammates like Tommy Makinson.

He revealed as such after the game when talking to Serious About Rugby League: “It was awesome, especially linking up with some of my old St Helens teammates like Tommy Mak. I miss playing with them, some good lads and they’re all great players.”

So, missing playing in England and alongside those St Helens stars, some speculated we see him return to Super League any time soon.

He has constantly been linked with moves back to Super League with Wigan Warriors, Leeds Rhinos, Warrington Wolves and former club St Helens all being linked with a move for the NRL forward.

However, Thompson did say he has “unfinished business” in Australia but wouldn’t rule out a return to Super League one day: “I don’t know. I’ve got some unfinished business over there but maybe one day.”

This injury will likely re-affirm his belief that he does have finished business to attend to.