Jason Ryles to have second operation
Report from: Dragons media release
28/11/03

Dragons prop Jason Ryles will undergo his second shoulder operation in four months but he is hopeful of being fit to play in the 2004 Telstra Premiership season-opener in mid-March.

Ryles, 24, was told yesterday afternoon that he would need to have an operation as soon as possible (date yet to be confirmed with surgeon) to repair nerve damage, now that his shoulder reconstruction (carried out in July) has progressed so well.

“There is absolutely no threat that I will not be playing again,” Ryles said today. “That might have been the case four months ago, but definitely not now.

“My shoulder is as good as it can be since the shoulder reconstruction. If all goes well with this second operation, I’ll be on the field when the season kicks off.”

Ryles injured his left shoulder during the State of Origin series this season.