Penrith Panthers hooker Mitch Kenny is looking at a return to the field before the finals after a significant stint on the sidelines.
Kenny suffered a nasty fractured fibula and syndesmosis injury when the team traveled to Darwin to face the Dolphins in April.
He is finally closing in on a return, with the Western Weekender revealing Kenny and the club are looking at Round 27 as the potential date for the crafty hooker to reunite with his teammates on the field.
It is understood the injury has taken longer than expected to heal, but will be hoping to make an appearance on the team sheet in the Panthers' final game of the regular season against the Wests Tigers.
It had at one stage been reported that he was set to not play again until the finals kicked off.
Freddy Lussick has been filling in for Kenny with great success, and has done enough to secure a two-year deal at the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs next year, in which he will be well in the race to locking down the starting role at Belmore.
Kenny was one of the many high-profile stars coming into this year who had contracts expiring at the end of 2027, but the club jumped on locking him down long-term, agreeing on a four-year extension taking his time in Penrith out to 2031.
Kenny is a crucial member of the Panthers spine and was well in the mix for a NSW Blues debut jersey before his injury.
“My preference is always to stay,” Kenny said on SEN's Kick Off in July.
“But you don't always get what you want in life or in footy, so I thought I would've been silly if I probably didn't consider what my other options were.
“But thankfully, Penrith were keen, and we're able to get a deal done.
“So, I'm really happy with that and looking forward to extending my time out here.”
The Penrith local junior has notched up 135 appearances in Panthers colours while also securing three-premiership titles in one of the most vital positions on the rugby league field.
Following the club's latest 12-6 defeat to the Sydney Roosters on Thursday, the Panthers have dropped to second place on the ladder but still remain in the hunt for the NRL's minor premiership.
The men at the foot of the mountains are in the hunt for their fifth premiership in six years, and their sixth Grand Final appearance in seven years.
They close out their regular season with matches against the Storm, Bulldogs, then Kenny's likely return match against the Tigers at home.
