The Chronicle

Morgan returns to Cowboys’ injury list

- Nick Wright

A POTENTIALL­Y seasonendi­ng injury to Cowboys skipper Michael Morgan has highlighte­d a concerning trend for the Cowboys.

The Origin utility succumbed to a calf injury in the opening 15 minutes in his side’s 28-12 loss to the Cronulla Sharks, becoming the third star of the embattled club to suffer the fate on the road.

Jordan McLean was sidelined for an extended period in the clash with the Warriors, and last week it was Jason Taumalolo who left the field against Newcastle.

All three calf complaints have happened during fixtures where same day charter flights have been forced to occur due to coronaviru­s biosecurit­y measures.

While Cowboys coach Josh Hannay admits it is far from his area of expertise, he said there was no denying the trend after his side’s 28-12 loss to the Sharks on Saturday.

“Under normal circumstan­ces we’d fly down there the day before the game, or two days before the game in some instances, and I think it gives the players the opportunit­y to get over the flight and then play the game the next day,” Hannay said. “It’s not my area of expertise, but certainly there’s a trend there with three guys doing calf injuries in same day travel.

“They’re fairly influentia­l players, and there’s no doubt the road trip takes a toll. The fact he (Morgan) couldn’t come back on I’d say he’s going to miss some time.”

Hannay is yet to register a win as Cowboys head coach, and the club are expected to make an announceme­nt on their 2021 leader imminently.

“I’ve had my interview with the club, I think the process is at the pointy end and they’ll be keen to make a decision I’d say in the next week or so,” he said.

 ?? Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty ?? DOWN AND OUT: Cowboys skipper Michael Morgan.
Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty DOWN AND OUT: Cowboys skipper Michael Morgan.

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