South Sydney star Angus Crichton has had his finger amputated to ensure he is ready for the 2018 NRL season. The player’s manager, David Rawlings, has confirmed the backrower had the middle finger on his left hand amputated.

Crichton earlier this week confirmed he had signed a three-year deal to join the Sydney Roosters from 2019. The 21-year-old had been told he needed more surgery on the digit, which would mean a three-month layoff.

Instead of surgery, Crichton opted for amputation after being troubled constantly in recent years by the finger.

“My finger has been an ongoing injury I’ve had since I was playing in the under-20s,” Crichton told the PlayersVoice website earlier this month. “... A while back, I got it fused. I’ve got no knuckle in it.

“The doctor said I could either cut it off halfway or fuse it. I’ve had it fused several times now because I keep breaking it. I can’t bend the finger, so it’s like I’m constantly giving people the bird. If I clench my fist, my middle finger sticks out.”

After his fourth fusion surgery, Crichton pledged it would be the last such operation. “I’m going to have it cut in half because I’m just over it,” he said.

Crichton joins others prominent sportspeople including former AFL players Daniel Chick and Brett Backwell in amputating a finger to continue their careers.

Chick had his left ring finger amputated in 2002 after frequent dislocations and, four years later, won a premiership with West Coast.