Warrington Wolves star needs ‘procedure’ in blow for Sam Burgess

The latest update on the status of Warrington Wolves star Matt Dufty has been revealed.

The fullback has been one of the league’s very best performers, comfortably covering the higher number of metres of any player, and recording a league-high number of try contributions: that being tries and try assists.

The Australian spent five seasons with St George Illawarra Dragons in NRL, scoring 44 tries in 82 games, before a short spell at Canterbury Bulldogs amid interest from St Helens.

Making the move to the UK midway through the 2022 season, Dufty has scored 35 tries in 55 Super League appearances.

At Magic Weekend, he played with his knee strapped, with Burgess nearly bringing him off before his trio of tries in a victory over Leeds Rhinos.

Speaking to The Warrington Guardian, Sam Burgess said: “We nearly brought him off about five minutes into the second half.”

Matt Dufty injury latest with return date hinted

Now, it has been revealed that he needs repair work on this injury, and he won’t feature against Castleford Tigers this week.

Despite managing to see the game out last week, scans have shown that he needs work done – and The Warrington Guardian understands that he will need a ‘minor procedure’ – that shouldn’t keep him out for a lengthy period of time.

Warrington coach Martin Gleeson, in a press conference this week, revealed that two options to replace him when they face Castleford Tigers on Friday night were Cai Taylor-Wray amd Josh Thewlis.

Taylor-Wray is full-back for Warrington’s academy and reserve-grade side, and has started one game this year – the narrow defeat to Wigan Warriors just before the Challenge Cup final – and was also on the bench against London Broncos.

Meanwhile, Josh Thewlis is primarily a winger, but has featured from fullback on occasion for Warrington Wolves – particularly towards the start of his career – and notably scored a hattrick from the position against Huddersfield Giants in 2022.