Sam Burgess’ NRL grand final heroics continue to grow, with scans revealing the Clive Churchill medallist suffered a fractured eye socket alongside his fractured cheekbone in Sunday’s win over Canterbury.

Rugby-union bound Burgess, who suffered the injuries in the opening tackle but played out the game, was scheduled to undergo surgery on Tuesday afternoon.

“Just laying in hospital waiting for surgery, I look similar to a hamster at the moment. I wouldn’t change anything for the world though,” Burgess wrote on Twitter.

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“Thanks to everyone for your well wishes and congratulations. It’s been an amazing journey this year with a fitting end. Wow.’

In a media release Souths said X-rays revealed the double fracture.

“Scans this morning have confirmed that Rabbitohs lock Sam Burgess requires surgery to repair fractures in his cheekbone and eye socket,” it said.

“Burgess will have surgery this afternoon to have a plate inserted into his face to repair the damage.”

The 25-year-old Englishman told 2KY’s Big Sports Breakfast on Tuesday morning that the injury was troubling him after the hectic celebrations that greeted the end of Souths’ 43-year premiership drought.

“The cheek is pretty sore, the adrenalin has certainly worn off,” Burgess said.

“It is worth it for the feeling we got at the end of the game.

“This year certainly meant a lot to me being my last at the club.

“It is a feeling that will be very hard to replicate. I’m just thankful to be a part of it and given the opportunity at the club.”

Burgess said he didn’t know when he would be able to make his rugby union debut with English club Bath, but his recovery period is expected to take several months.

“It will be a while, but that is the least of my worries right now,” he said.

“Hopefully this face won’t be damaged for too long.

“I have to get it fixed and then crack on.”

Burgess’ effort has been compared to that of Souths’ legend John Sattler who played 77 minutes of the 1970 grand final win over Manly with a broken jaw.

Sydney Roosters centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall also played 65 minutes with a broken jaw in the Tricolours win over Manly in the 2013 decider.