NZ Warriors Karl Lawton has been ruled out for the 2021 NRL season, after suffering a serious Achilles tendon injury.
The hooker has posted on social media, after going under the knife: "Well, well, well, we meet again, Mr Surgeon."
Lawton, 25, enjoyed a breakout campaign during the club's Aussie-based COVID-19 stint, contesting the starting rake position with Wayde Egan, forced his way into the pack as a second-rower and even fronted at centre.
He suffered the injury at the Warriors' New South Wales training hub and leaves the club somewhat shorthanded in the No.9 jersey, after it released five-year veteran Nathaniel Roache.
Since debuting for the Warriors in 2018, Lawton has made 33 appearances and scored six tries, and is contracted to the end of the 2021 season.
His plight puts the club back in the market for Kiwis hooker Brandon Smith, who is apparently contemplating an exit from Melbourne Storm in search of a fulltime starting role.
