Kade Reed injury opens door for Kyle Flanagan’s Dragons return

St George Illawarra co-captain Damien Cook has thrown his support behind recalled halfback Kyle Flanagan after rookie playmaker Kade Reed was ruled out for up to three months with a hand injury.

Reed had surgery on a ruptured tendon in one of his fingers on Tuesday, forcing the winless Dragons into another reshuffle of their halves against Penrith on Sunday to close out the NRL’s Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium.

In his absence, Flanagan will reclaim the No.7 jumper, partnering Daniel Atkinson, who has also been carrying a hand injury and missed Saturday’s defeat to Newcastle.

Flanagan, who has been picked on an extended bench the past two matches, has not played since his dad Shane Flanagan stepped down from his role as head coach last month.

“The way he has handled himself has been great,” Cook said of Flanagan on Tuesday. “Obviously, his dad being the coach, it would be hard to go through. The way he has carried himself around the club has been really good.

“He’s been on the extended bench possibly to come on if I needed to [come off or] swap position. He’s been really good just jumping in wherever he’s needed at training.

“I can’t fault that. Not many people would ever have to go through that situation in the game where their dad goes through that, plus you spend a couple of weeks not starting.

“I feel for him but [I’m] definitely impressed with how he’s handled it.”

Fellow co-captain Clint Gutherson will resume his place at fullback after a forgettable outing at centre against the Knights while forward Luciano Leilua returns from suspension on the bench.

It was less than three weeks ago that 20-year-old Reed made his NRL debut on Anzac Day in it was a baptism of fire.

The Dragons were destroyed 62-16 by the Sydney Roosters before being blown away 44-10 by Newcastle last Saturday.

“It’s been a tough start for him [Reed],” Cook said. “Great to get your debut in a massive game on Anzac Day. It wasn’t the way we wanted it to go.

“To his credit, he hid [the injury] well. I had no idea. They obviously don’t know how long it’s going to be [out of the game] … hopefully it’s a short period.”

Cook said Reed should not be discouraged about surrendering his position.

“He had that spot and he was trying to really get a few games under his belt,” he said. “But I know the type of kid he is, I know how hard he works. I wouldn’t be worried … I’d make sure you get it right, make sure you get it right, recover well and come back better for it.”

In news that Queensland coach Billy Slater will have an interest in, Dragons centre Valentine Holmes completed a full training session on Tuesday despite emerging from the clash against the Knights with a shoulder injury.

He has had an indifferent start to the season in a struggling team, admitting his form hasn’t been up to scratch.

But the 30-year-old is a proven performer at State of Origin level and may still figure in Slater’s squad for the first game of the series, which he will announce on Monday.

Cook said Holmes would be fine to take his place against the Panthers in Brisbane.

“It’s just the way he plays, he tries to hit hard and play above his weight,” he said.

“Some of the targets he takes on … I know he took on [Manly forward] Haumole [Olakau’atu] a couple of weeks ago, trying to rush out of line. He’s tough.

“He was defending out there [at training] today. The backs had a real solid session. He got through that fine. He looked good out there today.”