Scans keep Dugan's Origin hopes alive (AAP)19 March 2012, 5:54 pmJosh Dugan's State of Origin hopes remain alive after the Canberra NRL fullback was ruled out for only six weeks with a grade-three AC joint tear.
It was feared Dugan could miss several months after he injured his left shoulder in the Raiders' loss to Sydney Roosters on Sunday at Allianz Stadium.
Dugan left the ground in some distress with his arm in a sling, but scans on Monday revealed the 21-year-old wouldn't require surgery.
The NSW fullback should return to action against Manly at Brookvale Oval in round nine on the weekend of May 4, three weeks before the Origin opener in Melbourne on May 23.
However, he will miss the City-Country encounter in Mudgee on April 22.
Raiders backrower Shaun Fensom will be sidelined for a similar period after sustaining a small tear in his left bicep against the Roosters.
Fensom will undergo surgery on Tuesday morning and will be out between six to eight weeks.
"There's always the chance of injuries like this and you've got to stay positive, do everything you can to overcome adversity like this," he said.
Trevor Thurling, who also injured himself in the same game, will find out the results from a scan on his injured knee on Tuesday after limping off in the first half.
Source: Rugby League
Topic: Scans keep Dugan's Origin hopes alive (AAP)
