Ex-Wigan Warriors forward John Bateman ruled-out for two months with injury
England international John Bateman will be sidelined for at least six weeks after scans revealed he suffered a fractured eye socket in Canberra's win over Penrith on Saturday.
The Raiders have confirmed the 25-year-old former Bradford and Wigan second rower could be sidelined for up to eight weeks after announcing he will require surgery.
Bateman, who has made a big impact in his first season in the NRL, was hurt tackling Panthers forward Viliame Kikau and was sent to hospital after failing his head injury assessment.
A club statement said: "Raiders forward John Bateman will miss 6-8 weeks after it was confirmed today he will require surgery on an eye-socket fracture.
"Bateman will miss 6-8 weeks and is expected to return between rounds 15-17."