FORMER Knights captain Jarrod Mullen hopes to avoid surgery after dislocating his shoulder in his rugby league comeback.
Having completed a four-year doping ban in January for testing positive to a banned steroid in late 2016, Mullen signed with Queensland Cup team Sunshine Coast Falcons and debuted for them against Northern Pride on Saturday.
The 33-year-old suffered a cruel setback, however, when he dislocated a shoulder and was taken to hospital by ambulance.
It took more than two hours for medicos to pop his shoulder back into the socket.
After scans on Monday and consulting a specialist, Mullen was optimistic he would not need major surgery and was hoping to return in four to six weeks.
"It's the best possible outcome," he told the Herald. "I'll be sweet."
The former NSW Origin playmaker, who played 211 games for Newcastle, has vowed to finish his career on his own terms and believes he is capable of playing again in the NRL level.
The Falcons are the feeder club for reigning NRL champions Melbourne Storm.
