New Zealand rugby league international Greg Eastwood's return to the NRL with the Bulldogs is on ice after the utility forward underwent surgery on both wrists.

The 23-year-old is expected to be sidelined for the first six rounds of the 2011 season after surgery shortly before Christmas left him with both hands in plaster.

Eastwood, who has come back to the Bulldogs from English Super League club Leeds, broke his left scaphoid bone in the wrist representing New Zealand in 2009 and the right while playing for Leeds last March.

He complained of soreness in both joints when he started training in December, and scans revealed both wrists had failed to heal properly despite being operated on at the time.

A Bulldogs spokesman said Eastwood, who was involved in the Kiwis' triumphant Four Nations campaign last November, could have played on but would have risked further complications this season and possibly arthritis later in life.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP