Comeback kid close to surgery

THE Broncos have revealed how close Corey Oates came to season-ending surgery as the hulking winger prepares for a shock return in Saturday night’s derby against the Gold Coast Titans.

Oates was named 18th man for the M1 derby but he trained strongly yesterday in place of former Titans flyer David Mead, who was originally named in the starting side.

Oates has endured a torrid past month with the winger admitted to hospital after battling a staph infection which threatened to prematurely end his season.

But the 22-year-old has made a better-than-expected recovery and will be given the green light to face the Titans if he trains well at the captain’s run tomorrow.

Broncos medicos said they initially had no idea how long Oates would be sidelined and teammate Sam Thaiday revealed the winger almost went under the knife on his infected hips.

“To be honest, you will hear the full story one day from him but he was really, really sick,” Thaiday said.

“To the point where he could have needed major surgery.

“He’s a player we like to give a bit of stick to but this time Corey was telling the truth (about his condition).”