The injury is a bitter disappointment for the 29-year-old, who had enjoyed a positive pre-season build up for the 2013 season.

Goodwin was keen to impress and push his claims for a position in the Dragons’ side for the annual Charity Shield match against South Sydney at ANZ Stadium on Friday night, which will be the Red and Whites’ final trial game before the premiership season starts.

But this latest injury has put paid to those plans for Goodwin.

He underwent scans yesterday afternoon after sustaining the injury in the Dragons’ 28-22 loss to the North Queensland Cowboys at Barlow Park in Cairns on Saturday night.

The versatile goalkicking utility back had only been on the field for a matter of minutes during the second quarter when he indicated he had suffered the injury.

Dragons coaching staff quickly replaced him with Adam Quinlan on the wing.

‘‘It has been confirmed that Bronx Goodwin has torn his pectoral muscle in the Dragons trial against the Cowboys on the weekend,’’ Dragons performance director, Andrew Gray, said yesterday.

‘‘Bronx will undergo surgical repair of the torn muscle [today] and commence his rehabilitation program.

‘‘We expect that the injury will keep Bronx off the field for a four month period which is very disappointing for Bronx as he had a great pre-season.

‘‘He is a very determined athlete so I’m sure he’ll focus all his energy on rehabilitating himself so that he can resume playing with the Dragons as soon as possible.’’

The setback comes as a major blow for the Dragons less than three weeks out from the start of the season and continues an injury-riddled run for Goodwin.

Since joining the Red V at the end of the 2009 NRL season, the former Raiders and Sharks utility has managed just five first-grade appearances.

He played 20 matches for the Illawarra Cutters in the NSW Cup last year and was hoping to become a regular member of Steve Price’s NRL side.

But that dream is now months away at the earliest.