Melbourne Storm head coach Craig Bellamy has admitted he is unsure when star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen will return to the field, as the club continues to take a cautious approach to managing a calf injury that has kept him sidelined longer than expected.
Originally expected to miss just one week, the Storm’s fullback will now sit out a fourth straight game after being left out of the side for Thursday night’s Round 21 clash against the Roosters.
Although the injury isn’t considered serious, the Storm have yet to confirm a return date for Papenhuyzen, leaving both fans and coaching staff in limbo.
Head coach Bellamy shared with News Corp after the team list dropped yesterday that he’s still in the dark about when the 27-year-old will return to the starting lineup
MORE: Ryan Papenhuyzen still sidelined as Storm remain cautious with fullback
“When it first was happening it was only going to be a week, so I'm not quite sure,” Bellamy said.
“I don't understand injuries all that well. I haven't done any PhD or whatever it is, so we just need to get on with what we've got.”
Papenhuyzen’s absence has seen Nick Meaney step into the fullback role, with Joe Chan benefiting from the reshuffle to earn a spot in the centres.
It’s not just the young star missing from the club’s line-up this week, with Cameron Munster also sidelined for personal reasons, leading Bellamy to move Tyran Wishart into the five-eighth role.