Canberra Raiders star John Bateman shoulder surgery ensures 2020 NRL return

While the Canberra Raiders were yet to set a timeframe, coach Ricky Stuart reassured Green Machine fans the England international would definitely play in 2020.

Bateman underwent his second round of shoulder surgery on Thursday, which came four months after he first went under the knife.

He was originally hopeful of playing in round one and was then in the selection mix to face the Newcastle Knights at Campbelltown on Sunday, but a series of complications led to him needing another operation.

It's come as a cloud hovered over his future with the Green Machine following agitations from his manager Isaac Moses for a contract upgrade.

That sparked fears another extended period out of the game would mean last year's NRL grand final could be his last game as a Raider.

Bateman's contracted to the Raiders for 2021, but he's been given permission to test the market because Canberra doesn't have room in the salary cap for an upgrade next year.

He's been linked to a return to English Super League club Wigan on a five-year, $3.5 million deal, while NRL clubs Canterbury, Gold Coast and St George Illawarra were also interested.

Stuart directed all questions about Bateman's contract to his manager Isaac Moses, who didn't return The Canberra Times' calls.

"I spoke to our doctor Greg MacLeod this morning and he was happy with the outcome of the operation yesterday so it's important now that we get John back into rehab and do what we have to do to get him back to fully fit," Stuart said.

"We hope to [get him back this season] and I'm expecting to as well. Talking to the doc this morning he just said, 'Look, it's important we work with the player rather than setting a date on the calendar of when he's going to be back'.

"But we've still got 14-15 games to go. He'll definitely be back this season. It's important to get his shoulder right.

"There's been some complications with it, hence the two operations and John's been very frustrated with it because he's very much a competitor.

"He doesn't like sitting out in the rehab group or he doesn't like to be running around the oval while the other boys are training.

"It's frustrating him and it's disappointing because he just wants to play."

MORE RAIDERS NEWS

Stuart revealed he'd guaranteed Raiders winger Bailey Simonsson his spot to help the 22-year-old put the team first last week.

A leg infection forced Simonsson to miss the Raiders' 22-6 victory over the Melbourne Storm, with comeback king Jordan Rapana coming in to shine on the left wing.

Rapana scored a try in the opening four minutes, ran for 167 metres, and made two tackle busts and one line break against the Storm.

But Simonsson has come straight back into Canberra's starting 13, with Rapana dropping to the bench to fill the utility role.

Rapana had backed Simonsson to come straight back in, having been adamant he returned from Japanese rugby union as back up.

Stuart wouldn't be drawn on what Rapana's role would be, but the Kiwi international has said he can fill a number of positions.

Not only can Rapana cover the wing and the centres, but he's also played fullback for the Green Machine as well.

Given he returned from his short stint with the Panasonic Wild Knights at 107kg the 30-year-old felt he could also slot into the forwards as well.

"We'll just wait and see what Jordan's role is," Stuart said.

"Bailey Simonsson, last week I told him before he made the decision whether he was going to play or not - because he had that infection in the leg - that it wasn't going to be a decision he had to make worrying about losing his position.

"Over the years I've found that as a coach it's important to give the player that confidence because then he can make the right decision for the team instead of understanding that he might lose his spot and then plays injured for you, and doesn't do a good job.

"So I just gave him the comfort of knowing to make the decision that's best for the team because he wasn't going to lose his spot."

NRL ROUND FOUR

Sunday: Canberra Raiders v Newcastle Knights at Campbelltown Stadium, 4.05pm.

Raiders team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Bailey Simonsson, 3. Jarrod Croker, 4. Curtis Scott, 5. Nick Cotric, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. George Williams, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Dunamis Lui, 11. Joe Tapine, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Corey Horsburgh. Interchange from: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Emre Guler, 16. Sia Soliola, 17. Jordan Rapana, 18. Tom Starling, 19. Matt Frawley, 20. Kai O'Donnell, 21. Michael Oldfield.

Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Edrick Lee, 3. Enari Tuala, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Hymel Hunt, 6. Kurt Mann, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. David Klemmer, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Aidan Guerra, 12. Sione Mata'utia, 13. Herman Ese'ese. Interchange from: 14. Tex Hoy, 15. Jacob Saifiti, 16. Tim Glasby, 17. Brodie James, 18. Gehamat Shibasaki, 19. Chris Randall, 20. Mason Lino, 21. Pasami Saulo.