Fox’s Origin hopes on ice as Dogs hit harder

The battered Bulldogs have suffered another blow with fears flyer Josh AddoCarr could be sidelined long-term after suffering an ankle injury in the opening minutes of the annual Good Friday clash.

The initial concerns for the Bulldogs star is a syndesmosis injury after an innocuous incident led to the Kangaroos winger limping from the field.

A high grade injury will keep Addo-carr sidelined for about two months which would also end any hopes of a State of Origin recall.

Addo-carr fell awkwardly on the Accor Stadium surface as he chased a kick. He went to the ground untouched and tried to play on with his ankle strapped. But he was eventually carried off the field after just 10 minutes.

“He’s going for scans now, something in the ankle,” coach Cameron Ciraldo said after the game. “Doesn’t look great, the way he went down. Hopefully we get some good news there. We haven’t had much luck lately with injuries, but hopefully Fox can get back in no time.”

The injury proved immediately costly with two of South Sydney’s first half tries coming down Addo-carr’s right edge.

Addo-carr watched the second half with his right ankle in a moonboot. Suspended winger-turned-backrower Jayden Okunbor is back next week while the experienced Braidon Burns captained Canterbury’s NSW Cup side.

Just days after speaking about his hopes of returning to the Blues side after being controversially overlooked last year, Addo-carr is now long odds to be fit. The interstate series kicks off on May 31 in Adelaide.

Addo-carr had an impressive World Cup for the Kangaroos and was back in the selection frame. Incumbents Brian To’o and Daniel Tupou plus rugby-bound Joseph-aukuso Sua’ali’i will now compete for the two spots.

The Bulldogs pack have been hit hard in recent weeks but the club is hopeful Raymond Faitala-mariner, Viliame Kikau and Tevita Pangai Jnr will be back in time to play the Eels next week.