Austin could miss rest of NRL season due to hand injury

Omnisports 03:13 - 25 August 2016

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Canberra Raiders have been dealt a major blow ahead of the NRL finals after star playmaker Blake Austin suffered a potential season-ending hand injury.

Austin's season is in doubt with the 25-year-old to undergo surgery on Thursday after injuring his hand during a training session on Wednesday.

In a statement released, the third-placed Raiders said Austin is facing an "indefinite period" on the sidelines, which "could be for the rest of the season".

"It was a very simple accident and very unfortunate for Blake," Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said.

"As I said last week we are not a one man team and Sam Williams will come into the team now and we know he'll do a great job for us.

"This will challenge us and everybody has to buy in and assist in picking up the slack."