League: Benji Marshall in doubt for Kiwis recall

Benji Marshall after suffering an injury last night. Photo / Getty

Benji Marshall's hopes of a Kiwis recall for the end of year tour have suffered a blow.

Marshall was injured in the St George Illawara Dragons' heartbreaking 11-10 golden-point NRL elimination final defeat to the Canterbury Bulldogs, which ended the Dragons' season.

Marshall looks to have suffered a high ankle sprain after he fell awkwardly in a 50th-minute tackle by Canterbury lock Greg Eastwood. Coach Paul McGregor says he may require surgery.

Play stopped for some time while Marshall received treatment and, after trying to play on with strapping, the Dragons No.7 succumbed to the injury, leaving a half-fit Gareth Widdop to lead the attack.

The former Kiwis captain emerged from the sheds and made a handful of runs along the sideline in an attempt to play through the pain, before going back up the tunnel.

McGregor said it was a possibility Marshall could go under the knife, ruling him out of the Kiwis' three-Test tour of England in November.

"It's just a syndesmosis which potentially will need an operation," he said.

"But at the moment that's the furthest from his mind.

"He'll relax for a couple of days and work it out in the middle of next week."

Marshall hasn't played for New Zealand for three years but was well placed to get back into the squad after Golden Boot winner Shaun Johnson suffered a season-ending ankle injury and his Warriors teammate Thomas Leuluai ruptured knee ligaments, having not been wanted by coach Stephen Kearney in recent times.

- AAP