Cronulla Sharks' Paul Gallen injures knee

Cronulla Sharks captain Paul Gallen faces an anxious wait to discover the extent of a knee injury he suffered in the defeat to North Queensland Cowboys in their NRL season-opener on Saturday.

The prop was taken off after pulling up during the second half of the Sharks' 20-14 defeat to the champions in Townsville.

There are concerns that Gallen faces a lengthy lay-off with ligament damage and Sharks coach Shane Flanagan confirmed the 34-year-old will be sent for a scan.

"He's pretty upset about it at the moment," Flanagan said. "We'll just pray for the best there."

The Sharks coach added: "He's hurt his knee. Touch wood there it's not too bad.

"[Gallen's] pretty dejected in the dressing rooms. We won't know [the extent of the injury] until he has scans."