Cameron McInnes' Cronulla NRL debut has been delayed by at least a couple of weeks after the prized recruit underwent minor knee surgery this week.
The Sharks on Thursday confirmed the tough lock forward will aim to return in round three having suffered a small training setback to the same knee in which he tore his ACL last February.
While the former St George Illawarra captain hasn't played since September 2020, his new Cronulla teammates have credited him with helping to set standards through his professionalism and work ethic.
Despite McInnes' absence, Sharks fans have reason to be excited about Monday's final trial hit-out against Canterbury at PointsBet Stadium with fellow star recruits Nicho Hynes and Dale Finucane set to play.
McInnes had been slated to wear the No.13 jersey under coach Craig Fitzgibbon, a role Finucane could now assume instead of starting at prop during the opening rounds.