‘Conservative approach’: Josh Schuster ruled out of historic Las Vegas trip, Matt Lodge on track for early return

Manly want to take a “conservative approach” with Josh Schuster ruling him out of the historic trip to Las Vegas and hopeful he’ll be available for the club’s Round 2 clash as the back-rower recovers from a calf strain.

Schuster has battled chickenpox, a fractured finger and a calf injury during a pre-season which was equally frustrating and encouraging with the young gun recently saying it’s the best he’s ever felt.

The 22-year-old won’t join his teammates on the plane to America on Wednesday, with the club originally hoping to send him over on Sunday after their second pre-season challenge match against the Broncos.

Sea Eagles fans were hoping to see him play against the Roosters in Gosford last week but he was a late scratching with the club saying they were going to “save him” for this weekend’s match at home.

Instead, the club will play it safe with their edge forward who will spend the next few weeks getting his body right in time for the round two match against the Roosters on March 17 in what shapes as the most important year of his career after injuries and fitness concerns kept him out of the side in 2023.

“The medical staff has said that due to ongoing tightness, that medically we’re not comfortable having him return to play and that we want to take a more conservative approach,” coach Anthony Seibold said.

“Josh is only 21 days post initial calf strain, so we won’t take him to Las Vegas.

“We will leave him here hoping that he will return in the near future with the expectation that he will be playing again from round two.”

Schuster’s latest setback means Ben Trbojevic has locked in the left back-row position for the Vegas game where he’ll play outside new recruit Luke Brooks.

The pair combined well against Souths two weeks ago, with Trbojevic scoring a first-half hat-trick against a team missing all of its stars.

Meanwhile, there’s better news for Sea Eagles prop Matt Lodge who could be back on the field within the next two months.

The veteran tore his ACL in just his third game for the club last August but has been progressing well through his rehab.

“Matthew has passed his pinch ready test which is a test for returning athletes from an ACL reconstruction,” Seibold said.

“He is still looking to be available somewhere between round six and round eight. Matthew has shown some really good signs and is running well. We will reintroduce him to basic skills on our return from Las Vegas.“