NRL: Injured Price could be finished

Steve Price. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Steve Price may have played his last competitive game of league.

With a third of the regular season complete, the 313-match NRL veteran is still no closer to overcoming a heel injury that is threatening to prematurely end his career.

Attempts to treat the injury had come to another "dead end" after he broke down once again in the build-up to last weekend's defeat by Canberra, coach Ivan Cleary confirmed.

With the Queensland and Kangaroos stalwart having announced he will retire at the end of the season, the latest setback may mean his career is already over.

"It isn't going well," Cleary said. "He had a setback going into the Raiders game and that has put him back again. Now he is just in a holding pattern."

That means several weeks of total rest before the injury is next reassessed and more treatment attempted.

Cleary said he had not given up hope of his premier prop returning, but there was no projected time-frame for that to happen.

"But it is probably fair to say the longer we go on, the worse it is.

"There has been a lot of confusion, even from some of the best medicos going around. There is a fair bit of uncertainty."

Price is holidaying in Australia and could not be reached for comment. However Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah said the 36-year-old was determined to end his career on a high.

Cleary said Price was frustrated at his helplessness but remained a positive influence at the club.

"He has been the sort of guy who has always gotten over injuries in the past and has always felt like he has had a reasonable amount of control over what he is doing. This one has probably put him in the position where he hasn't had the sort of control he would like. That is hard.

"There are highs and lows where you think you are going to get through it, only to find out you haven't. That is frustrating, but he always remains upbeat.

"I really feel for him because he is doing it tough. But he is being bloody brave about the whole thing and really positive as always. Everyone is hoping he can get through this and get back out there playing."

There is some positive news on the injury front, with star wing Manu Vatuvei and halfback Brett Seymour on track to return against the Cowboys next Saturday. Simon Mannering could also make a comeback although Cleary put his captain in the hopeful rather than likely category.