Mary Fowler wears camouflage trousers and a crop top as she walks hand-in-hand with Nathan Cleary at a local market – after the Penrith star was hit hard

Nathan Cleary’s season may be hanging in the balance after a left shoulder injury, but the Penrith Panthers superstar has found a reason to smile after his girlfriend Mary Fowler came to his rescue this week.

Cleary injured his joint during Thursday’s match against Melbourne and it was initially feared he would require surgery and be out for the rest of the year.

However, scans showed he did not require immediate surgery and he could now return for the NRL finals in September as the Panthers chase a record fourth consecutive NRL title.

Despite a frustrating new injury after already being sidelined for two months this season with a hamstring injury, Cleary was all smiles as he spent time with girlfriend Fowler in the Blue Mountains on Saturday.

The sporty couple enjoyed breakfast at a local cafe before exploring the Rotary Markets in Glenbrook, where Nathan sampled a scented candle as the couple looked relaxed and happy.

Mary Fowler pictured with Nathan Cleary out and about in Glenbrook at the local markets

Cleary was spotted smelling the scented candles and smiling as he enjoyed time with his girlfriend Fowler

Fowler is back in Australia after the Matildas’ disappointing campaign at the Paris Olympics

Fowler is back in Australia after the Matildas’ disappointing Olympic Games in Paris, where they failed to reach the knockout stages despite a valiant performance against the United States in their final group game.

Man City will play their first friendly in Australia from August 21 to September 2 against Paris Saint Germain and fellow Barclays Women’s Super League clubs West Ham United and Leicester City.

Man City will play their first friendly in Australia from August 21 to September 2 against Paris Saint Germain and fellow Barclays Women’s Super League clubs West Ham United and Leicester City.

The WSL season kicks off on September 22 in the UK.

Penrith expect Nathan Cleary to be back from his shoulder injury for the NRL finals, which would be a major boost as they push for a fourth consecutive championship.

The three-time reigning champion held his breath as Cleary underwent scans after suffering an unfortunate fall in the second half of the Panthers’ 24-22 defeat to Melbourne on Thursday night.

Fowler wore a crop top that showed off her toned figure as she prepared for the upcoming Women’s Super League season in the UK

Cleary hopes to return for NRL finals after suffering another injury

The Panthers halfback couldn’t stop beaming as he wandered the markets with Fowler

A frustrated Cleary came off the field in the final 10 minutes at the BlueBet Stadium, with his father and coach Ivan Cleary admitting he was ‘concerned’ about the injury.

The 26-year-old player will likely require surgery on his left shoulder in the offseason, but the Panthers now expect him to return after the final three weeks of the regular season.

Both Fowler and Cleary are familiar with the challenges of injuries and the road to recovery.

Fowler has struggled with recurring back and foot problems in her young career, while Cleary has a longer history of injuries.

Fortunately, his most recent setback involves a shoulder that is not the same one he injured in 2021.

Mary and Nathan started dating late last year. Daily Mail Australia was the first to report on their relationship.

The couple in love may live on opposite sides of the world, but they find a way to make it work

Their paths will soon diverge as Cleary prepares for the NRL finals and Fowler signs up for Manchester City in a pre-season tournament in Perth

The first report featured photos of Mary resting her head on Nathan’s chest as they enjoyed a quiet moment together in a Perth park ahead of one of her Matildas matches.

The couple went public with their relationship in October in Perth and confirmed their romance on Instagram in January.

In May, NSW star Nathan was sidelined with a grade II hamstring injury, which ruled him out of the State of Origin series for eight weeks.

During his recovery, Nathan and Mary, 21, took the opportunity to spend some quality time together on a romantic getaway.

Both athletes keep their relationship fairly private. Nathan has admitted that the attention on his personal life was unexpected.

“It’s definitely different than when I was young and in first grade and people were dissecting my playing. I’d never had that before,” he shared earlier this year.

During five years of Premier League dominance, the Panthers have become accustomed to being without Cleary for large parts of the regular season.

The long-term injury to his right shoulder was a thorn in his side heading into the 2021 finals series and he was handed a five-game ban for a gruesome spear tackle on Dylan Brown in late 2022.

Cleary has continued to suffer hamstring injuries this year, but Penrith have still won seven of their 11 games without him.