Penrith co-captain Isaah Yeo has avoided surgery on a pectoral injury and will start rehabilitation immediately in the hope of making a miracle return before the NRL season is over.

Yeo underwent scans on Sunday morning before he met with specialists and the Panthers’ medical team.

The lock forward was told on Monday morning he would not be required to go under the knife for now, and the club would work overtime trying to get him back on the park.

Yeo reeled out of a tackle in the first half during the Panthers’ 28-12 loss to the New Zealand Warriors on Friday night.

The Panthers play the Sydney Roosters on Thursday night, then the Storm in Melbourne, who will have Cameron Munster on deck after the match review committee backflipped on a one-match ban and instead handed him a fine for a dangerous tackle.

News that Yeo could still be part of the Panthers’ charge for a fifth NRL title in six seasons will be welcomed by fans who would have spent the past 48 hours thinking the worst.

Fullback Dylan Edwards is likely to return from a shoulder injury against the Roosters, while Mitch Kenny (foot/ankle) and Casey McLean (hand) are also due back before September starts.

More to come