Jamie Soward concedes he erred in not having off-season back surgery as he now faces about six weeks on the sidelines just a fortnight into the 2015 NRL season.
Soward on Tuesday night underwent surgery for a recurring back problem.
The Penrith playmaker will miss Monday's round-three clash with Sydney Roosters and is unlikely to return to the field until May.
"It's just at the stage now where I can't keep playing so I will be out around six weeks depending on how I go with recovery time," Soward told Triple M.
"I have been playing a long time and getting hits and stuff like that, and my disc has just worn down ... I can't keep ignoring it and I have to get on top of it as best I can.
"Not just to play the rest of this season but going forward I have two more years with the Panthers and who knows after that."
Panthers three-quarter Jamal Idris successfully underwent similar surgery during the off season and was fit for the season proper.
"It is very similar to what Jamal got done earlier in the year and he got back in about three and a half or four weeks," Soward said.
"But, fingers crossed, we will just have to wait and see."
Soward said off-season surgery had been an option, but he had hoped a new training program would help manage the problem.
"You see yourself getting stronger in that area and think you won't have to undergo surgery, but I just can't go on with it any more.
"As far as we are concerned it is just a minor procedure and I will be back out there as soon as possible."
Isaac John will partner Peter Wallace in the halves for the Allianz Stadium encounter with the Tricolours.
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