Plum out for six months

Penrith will be without forward Nigel Plum for the majority of the forthcoming NRL season, after he underwent surgery.

Surgeons confirmed to the club that the 28-year-old second rower will require between 20 and 24 weeks to fully recover from operations to his shoulder and bicep.

The news is another injury blow for former Canberra player Plum, who endured a torrid season in 2010 when he was restricted to just and handful of performances for the Panthers’ NSW Cup feeder side Windsor Wolves.

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary must be equally disappointed by the news as he prepares to embark upon his maiden season with the club after joining from the New Zealand Warriors at the end of last year.

A club statement said: “The Panthers management and Board of Directors wish Nigel a speedy recovery.”