Rugby League: Offiah's lay-off fears

MARTIN OFFIAH will have his dislocated shoulder examined tomorrow amid fears that the injury could keep him out of action in Australia, where he is on a summer contract, for up to six weeks.

Offiah was injured while making his first appearance of the Australian season for Eastern Suburbs in their 26-10 victory over Penrith. The Wigan and Great Britain winger was making what appeared to be a regulation tackle on the Penrith forward, Phil Adamson, yet he could not stand up after the tackle and needed assistance to leave the field.

A six-week break would leave Offiah with only four regular- season games to play, and so there arises the question of whether he would be sent home. However, Mark Murray, the Eastern Suburbs coach, has already described this as 'pure speculation'.

'We have not considered sending him home. All that will have to be addressed after we find out the extent of the injury,' Murray said.