NRL star Andrew Fifita is set to have surgery on a fractured larynx suffered during the Cronulla Sharks' loss to the Knights on Sunday.
Fifita came off in the 39th minute of the game for a head injury assessment after a knock from Newcastle's Kurt Mann, but was cleared of a concussion at half-time.
He was taken off the field again in the 46th minute and did not return to the match.
After the match ended, the 32-year-old was brought out of the dressing room and onto the field where he was examined by paramedics before being taken to hospital by ambulance.
Last night the Sharks issued a statement saying the representative prop had been placed in an induced coma and was in a stable condition at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital.
"He is receiving the best possible care and all going well, it is expected he will recover in hospital for an extended period," the statement read.
"Andrew's wife Nikki and the Fifita family have expressed their appreciation to all who have sent messages of support and offered well wishes.
"The Sharks will provide further updates when more information comes to hand."
