Sharks skipper Paul Gallen is expected to be out of action for an extended period after scans have revealed his hip/gluteal injury to be worse than first thought.
Gallen played through the pain in the Sharks' wins over the Knights and Roosters but withdrew from Monday night's clash with the Rabbitohs when the injury failed to improve or respond to treatment.
The injury rules him out of Sunday's match against the Penrith Panthers and also the Australia v New Zealand Test match the following weekend.
"The injury is worse than we thought initially and I'm not sure at this stage when I will be able to return. Obviously we will get the best medical treatment and advice and I'll be back as soon as possible," Gallen said.