NRL superstar Nathan Cleary in fitness race ahead of Las Vegas opener

Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary will be racing against the clock to be fit for Penrith’s season opener in Las Vegas, although his club is confident he will play.

The NRL star jetted off to the UK to spend time with Mary Fowler, who had just led Penrith to their fourth consecutive NRL premiership.

However, Cleary is expected to leave his side next week to return to Australia to undergo shoulder surgery.

The Panthers playmaker was unable to go under the knife immediately after the NRL decider because the surgeon was on annual leave.

The surgery, a Latarjet procedure, is expected to require three months of rehabilitation, but he is still expected to return to training with the team in January, he reports. News Corporation.

Cleary had the same procedure at the end of 2021, but did not return to the field until the fourth round of 2022.

Last week, Cleary shared some photos of himself with a pair of blue budgie smugglers while wading into a lake surrounded by stunning mountains in Switzerland.

Cleary will face a couple of months on the sidelines recovering, but his club is confident he will be ready for the season opener.

The soccer star is clearly enjoying his European vacation with his girlfriend Mary Fowler.

The couple were first photographed at Old Trafford watching the Super League Grand Final as Wigan claimed victory over Hull Kingston Rovers.

During half-time, Cleary was invited to an interview with Sky Sports Rugby League, where he poured cold water on rumors that he was moving to Europe to be closer to his girlfriend Fowler.

“To be honest, not anytime soon,” Cleary said.

‘I’ve seen all the rumours. But come here and watch (Mary) play, which is nice, and take a break. But I’m not moving here anytime soon.”

Cleary, however, seems to have enjoyed the time he spent visiting Fowler, and the pair are also seen exploring Manchester’s Northern Quarter.