Melbourne halfback Cooper Cronk might miss the start of the NRL season after undergoing shoulder surgery.

The Dally M Medallist was set to return to Storm training next week, along with Cameron Smith and Billy Slater, who were also part of Australia’s World Cup triumph late last year.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy said Cronk would miss their NRL trials and was in doubt for round one.

“He has had an operation on his shoulder so that is the main reason he won’t play in any of the trials,” Bellamy said.

“And I’m not quite sure he will be ready for round one.”

The No.7 carried the injury through 2013 but aggravated it during the World Cup.

The Storm play their first trial on Saturday February 8 at AAMI Park against Canberra.