England international Dan Sarginson will miss the NRL Auckland Nines with a patella tendon injury, a blow to the Gold Coast Titans chances of repeating their semi-final appearance of 2016.
Sarginson originally tried to play through the injury when it first occurred, but when it was discovered that he had a slight tear in the tendon he was immediately added to the rehab group.
A complete rupture of the tendon would have ended the 23-year-old former London and Wigan centre’s maiden NRL season before it began, but he should now recover in time for the season.