ENGLAND international Gareth Widdop is undergoing major shoulder surgery for the second time in six months in a bid to play again in 2019.
The 30-year-old St George Illawarra captain dislocated his right shoulder for the third time in last Thursday's NRL victory over Brisbane Broncos and saw a specialist earlier today.
A statement from the club said: "Gareth Widdop's shoulder will be operated on later this evening.
"The Dragons will provide further information on the status of the England international in the coming days."
Extremely unfortunate news, with Gareth Widdop to have surgery after dislocating his shoulder last Thursday night. There are many different types of shoulder surgery, but the most common in this scenario is some form of shoulder reconstruction which carries a 3-6 month recovery
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) April 1, 2019
The latest on Gareth Widdop's dislocated shoulder 👇👇👇
— The Dragons (@NRL_Dragons) April 1, 2019
Details: https://t.co/PBBq1hvP88#redv pic.twitter.com/xUvKuj70Zj
Widdop is in his final season in the NRL, having signed a three-year contract with Warrington from 2020 and the Wolves are closely monitoring developments.
The Dragons agreed to release the Halifax-born former Melbourne full-back or stand-off to enable him to realise an ambition to end his career in England and are hoping he has not played his last match for them.
England coach Wayne Bennett will also be anxiously following the player's progress.
Widdop, who missed England's Test series against New Zealand in the autumn because of injury, would be a certainty for the reformed Great Britain team which Bennett will coach in the southern hemisphere at the end of the season.
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