Nathan Cleary has declared "I'll be back" after a horrific ankle injury ruled him out of the Rugby League World Cup. The Australia great, 28, suffered a compound fracture and dislocation to his left ankle while playing for Penrith Panthers in their NRL play-off defeat by Newcastle Knights on Sunday. Half-back Cleary, who helped Australia win the World Cup in Manchester four years ago, needed emergency surgery after being injured in a tackle by Phoenix Crossland.

Knights hooker Crossland was sent off for a 'hip-drop' tackle, which the NRL outlawed in 2020. Cleary posted on Instagram: "Surgery done... Thank you so much to everyone that has reached out, the support has been unbelievable.

Yesterday sucked but it's all part of the journey and it's made me even more grateful for the people I have around me. I'll be back." Cleary had started Sunday's match on the bench because he was already carrying an injury to his right foot, which had a broken bone. His father Ivan, the Panthers' head coach, said afterwards that his son would have surgery on both feet.

Crossland was referred to the NRL Judiciary over the tackle and is likely to receive a lengthy ban which would not only rule him out of Sunday's NRL Grand Final, in which Newcastle face Sydney Roosters, but may also affect his availability for New Zealand during the World Cup. Australia will face New Zealand in the opening match of the World Cup in Sydney on 15 October (10:05 BST). The two teams are also favourites to face each other in the final, in Brisbane on 15 November (08:35 GMT).