Cronulla’s season is threatening to unravel at a rapid pace with Nicho Hynes suffering a serious injury at training.
The Sharks have lost five of their last six matches during a dip in form which has seen them fall off the top of the ladder to be in a scrap to make the top-eight.
Hynes has been in a rut of his own after he was dropped from New South Wales’ side following a disappointing display in the opening State of Origin game last month.
The halfback was replaced by Mitch Moses for Game II in Melbourne with the Parramatta playmaker taking his opportunity in style.
Meanwhile, Hynes has struggled in the aftermath of his Blues snubbing with a spell on the sidelines now making matters worse.
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Nicho Hynes injury updates: Diagnosis, latest news for Cronulla Sharks halfback
"It has been confirmed that Nicho has a complete syndesmosis rupture, plus a tibia fracture to his left ankle," the club's Head of Performance, Nathan Pickworth, said.
"He will undergo surgery tomorrow (Wednesday), with an estimated return to the field of approximately eight weeks."
Hynes' injury is a massive blow for Craig Fitzbiggon’s side face ahead of their clash with the Wests Tigers in Round 19, where they will be looking to bounce back from three straight defeats.
The Sharks fell to the Gold Coast Titans last week in Coffs Harbour, while also losing to the Dolphins and Canterbury to leave them in fourth spot on the ladder.
After a bye in Round 20, the Sharks face North Queensland, South Sydney, Gold Coast and Newcastle in a tricky run of fixtures against fellow finals contenders.
Hynes could potentially return in the final two rounds of the regular season with matches against New Zealand and Manly rounding out their year.
Who will replace Nicho Hynes at halfback for Cronulla Sharks?
Braydon Trindall is likely to take over at halfback for the Sharks.
The playmaker has been an ever-present in Fitzgibbon’s side since serving a suspension for off-field matters earlier in the campaign.
The 24-year-old could be handed the No.7 jersey in Hynes’ absence with Daniel Atkinson returning at five-eighth.
The rookie previously played seven games in the halves during Trindall’s time away from the game with the Sharks winning five of those matches.