NRL superstar Nathan Cleary to make long-awaited return against the Dolphins

NRL superstar Nathan Cleary will make his long-awaited comeback this Sunday against the Dolphins.

Ten weeks after he aggravated a hamstring injury, the champion Penrith halfback hasn’t played since he damaged his hamstring again in May while playing against the Bulldogs.

Penrith had a deep dive into the 26-year-old’s hamstring issues, after he missed six games last year with a tear in his right one.

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The two-time Clive Churchill medallist then felt issues in his left hamstring in Round 3 of this season, ruling him out for four weeks.

He was then rested out of another game immediately after through a short turnaround, before going down again with another left hamstring injury in early May.

Naturally, the club has taken a cautious approach with Cleary this time.

In fact, Penrith have traditionally leant more towards resting players late in recent years, as they strike a balance between pushing for the top two and keeping players fresh.

His absence hasn’t hurt their performance, either, second on the ladder and just two wins away from the top-of-the-table Storm.

The break was also a bonus for his love life, and he was able to spend time with girlfriend Mary Fowler who had been back in Australia following the end of her Women’s Super League season.

More to come …