The Gold Coast Titans' pre-season has been dealt a major blow with star backrower David Fifita requiring surgery on an injured pectoral muscle.
The club announced on Tuesday evening that Fifita would go under the knife after suffering a "partial tear" during a pre-season training session.
Despite the setback, Fifita is expected to be fit for the start of the 2024 NRL season.
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The injury to the 23-year-old is a bitter blow for veteran Titans coach Des Hasler, who is in his first pre-season with the club and has been tasked with lifting the perennial strugglers up the ladder.
Fifita made 22 appearances in 2023 and scored eight tries in the process as the Titans won just eight games for the season.
He is currently on a three-year deal worth a reported $1 million a season, but has player options on the deal beyond the upcoming season.
League great Scott Sattler, a former Gold Coast Chargers player, told the club to be firm on whether Fifita remains at the club beyond next season.
"The club have to be strong, draw a line in the sand and say this is what we stand for, you either want to get on board or you don't," he told 9News Queensland last month.
"You can't be one foot in, one foot out."
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