Injuries sideline Storm's McLean, Blair

Jun 12, 2017 - 4:12 AM Melbourne have been dealt a double injury blow with Jordan McLean and Cheyse Blair to miss at least the next three weeks for the Storm.

Star front-rower McLean has had surgery after breaking his cheekbone in the Storm's NRL win over Cronulla on Thursday.

The 25-year-old McLean, the NSW 19th man in last month's State of Origin I, is expected to be sidelined for up to a month.

Centre Blair will also miss three to four weeks after undergoing minor ankle surgery.

The duo's absence will compound the Storm's loss of Queensland players Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Tim Glasby and Will Chambers for Saturday's clash with North Queensland.

McLean was forced off the ground in the 48th minute of the 18-13 win over the Sharks after a head clash and did not return.

The injury ends any slight chance he had of being called into the NSW side this season.

He's been one of the Storm's best forwards this year, having averaged more than 100 metres per game for the first time in his career.

McLean's injury adds to a frustrating year for the Storm pack.

He has already missed two games through a calf injury, while Jesse Bromwich (hand, suspension), Tohu Harris (foot) and Nelson Asofa-Solomona (hand) have all missed chunks of football.

Christian Welch has also been ruled out for the season with a knee injury.

Source: AAP