England Test star Jack Reed could be forced to retire due to a chronic shoulder problem, according to reports in Australia.
The 28-year-old is out of contract at the end of this season and has been linked with a move to Super League on numerous occasions: but the Brisbane Courier-Mail reports that it is unclear when the centre will play again.
Reed has been battling shoulder problems and has previously undergone four surgeries on his shoulders – but not even a fifth operation can cure what is described as arthritis, which is causing pain in his right shoulder.
And Brisbane’s strength-and-conditioning coach, Jeremy Hickmans – who is part of Wayne Bennett’s new-look England setup, too – admits he’s not sure when Reed will be on the field.
“It could be two weeks, it could be two months, we really don’t know,” Hickmans said.
“It’s a toss of the coin.
“We really hope to see Jack back this year, but I really don’t know where he sits at the moment. He could turn up on Monday and be fantastic, but we might not see him for the rest of the year.
“Jack could have another surgery but that won’t fix the problem really because there’s some arthritic issues to deal with.”
