Sports · Other Sports · 1 hr ago
Nathan Cleary to have third operation, with Penrith hopeful for round one
Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary is set for a third operation on injuries to his left leg and ankle.
The surgery, expected within the next week, will treat a severe ankle sprain caused by a hip-drop tackle in Penrith’s preliminary final.
Cleary has already had emergency surgery for a broken fibula and dislocated tibia, followed by an operation on his right foot.
Penrith officials are optimistic he can play in round one next season, but that depends on his recovery and there being no complications.
He is recovering at his parents’ home in Sydney and has not yet put weight on his left leg.
The ankle procedure is intended to stabilise the joint by joining the two bones with a strong braided rope.
Nathan Cleary is expected to have a third operation next week to treat an injury to his left ankle.
Penrith sources are optimistic he will be fit for the club’s opening round next season.
Cleary previously had emergency surgery on his left leg and an operation on his right foot.
He has been recovering at his parents’ home on Sydney’s northern beaches and has yet to put weight on his left leg.
The latest procedure is tightrope surgery, which joins the two bones at the ankle to provide stability.
- Who
- Nathan Cleary, Penrith’s halfback.
- What
- He is due to have tightrope surgery on his left ankle, his third operation.
- When
- He is expected to return to hospital in the next week; the article was published on November 6, 2026.
- Where
- The surgery is expected to take place at a hospital; the hospital is not named.
- Why
- He ruptured his syndesmosis in a hip-drop tackle and the surgery is intended to stabilise the ankle.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Cleary suffered a broken fibula, dislocated tibia and ruptured syndesmosis in a hip-drop tackle.
Cleary underwent emergency surgery on his left leg.
He had surgery on his right foot to repair his fifth metatarsal.
Penrith sources said Cleary was expected to return to hospital in the next week for left-ankle surgery.
- Third operation
- Tightrope surgery on the left ankle
- Expected hospital return
- In the next week
- Previous left-leg surgery
- Emergency repair of a broken fibula and dislocated tibia
- Previous right-foot surgery
- Repair of the fifth metatarsal
- Penrith’s outlook
- Optimistic he will be fit for round one next season