NRL: Luke tipped to return early from injury to rescue Rabbitohs

Issac Luke of the Rabbitohs. Photo / Getty Images

SYDNEY: Inspirational Kiwis hooker Issac Luke may return earlier than expected from a shoulder injury that has compounded luckless South Sydney's NRL woes.

Luke, a frontrunner for the competition's player of the year award before he dislocated a shoulder during training on June 29, had been expected to be sidelined for up to eight weeks.

However, Rabbitohs captain and Kiwis teammate Roy Asotasi said the dynamic playmaker could be available for the round 21 match against the Bulldogs next Friday.

"There's talk of him being a chance next week. He's a freak, he was scheduled for another month out but he seems to be on track. He's a good healer," Asotasi said before tomorrow's match against the Warriors at ANZ Stadium.

Luke's absence has coincided with a form slump that saw the Rabbitohs drop out of the top eight after controversial losses to the Sydney Roosters and St George-Illawarra Dragons.

Asotasi conceded that Luke's absence had been damaging.

"He's been our best player this year. The way he runs the ball, he's one of the strongest dummy half runners in the game and we're missing that a bit."

Luke, who is also the Rabbitohs' first-choice goalkicker, was enjoying a breakthrough season under John Lang after being seen as an impact player by previous head coach Jason Taylor.

He was originally meant to be back in time for the finals series, although with the Rabbitohs two wins outside the top eight - and a tough end to the regular season - Luke would be welcomed back as soon as possible.

- NZPA