Gordon hopeful for Panthers return

Injured Penrith star Michael Gordon is upbeat about his return to action, despite being ruled out for an extended period with a broken leg.

Gordon was struck down with the injury midway through the first half of the Panthers’ opening round defeat to Canterbury at Centrebet Stadium on Saturday.

The New South Wales Origin representative has already undergone surgery on the injury but wants to return as soon as possible.

“I’m on crutches for six weeks, so I can’t really do much,” Gordon says.

“The next couple of weeks I’ll probably just spend catching up on some TV, watching movies and spending time with my family.”

But Gordon has no plans to rest on his laurels during his recovery and has already set himself an intensive rehab schedule

“I’m going to start coming back to the gym to do weights and cardio to keep my body in shape; I’ll be right to go once the crutches are gone and I’m walking again,” he says.

“It’s six weeks for the bone to heal, then it’s just a matter of how well it responds.

“You need to get a fitness base under your belt and a good few weeks of solid running before you even consider playing.

“I’m not going to risk one or two weeks just for the sake of it. There’ll be plenty of season left by the time I come back, so it’s just making sure I’m right for the rest of it.”