Canterbury Bulldogs back-rower Raymond Faitala-Mariner will miss the majority of the season after suffering a foot injury in his side's round two loss to the Penrith Panthers.
Following scans on Monday, the Bulldogs confirmed that Faitala-Mariner will be sidelined for 16-20 weeks as he prepares to undergo surgery for an incomplete fracture of the navicular bone in his right foot.
The back-rower was taken from the field after picking up the injury shortly after half-time and was unable to return to the match in the second period.
The lengthy rehabilitation program will see the 27-year-old effectively miss the season, with hopes he can return for the club in the closing rounds.
It's a major injury blow for the Bulldogs who have struggled defensively in the opening two rounds of the competition.
The Kiwi Test star's presence will be sorely missed as Trent Barrett's troops prepare to face fellow winless rivals the Broncos, in a game with points up for grabs.
The Dogs will also be without star winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak who was rubbed out for two weeks for a high-shot on former Panthers teammate Nathan Cleary.
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