Boyd Cordner will miss Sunday’s clash with the Warriors, but the Sydney Roosters insist they’ll have their co-captain back for the run into the NRL finals.
Cordner was due to return from a calf injury after missing his team’s wins over Gold Coast and Canberra.
However the Roosters’ co-captain missed Saturday’s final training run and won’t run out for the defending premiers at the SCG.
“It was a chance but not quite good enough for tomorrow. So he will be getting back to running tomorrow,” coach Trent Robinson said.
“It’s just that lower limb getting ready to go again. He’s back in running tomorrow again and getting going.”
Robinson however denied the suggestion his second-rower had picked up another injury in his quad that threatened to rule him out for another fortnight.
“He’s had the lower limb injury. It’s the same,” Robinson said.
“It’s the balancing of his calf and getting his progressions right.
“I think it has been over-exaggerated a little. Hopefully he will be right for next week.”
The Roosters are also expecting Sio Siua Taukeiaho to return in the next fortnight with his own calf injury, while Jake Friend is pushing for a round 25 return from his broken arm.
But the Roosters still have ample talent, with Angus Crichton to remain in the second row alongside Mitchell Aubusson after coming off the bench before Cordner’s injury.
“That’s been our season. We’ve had a lot of guys in and out,” Robinson said.
“Our backrowers in Mitch Aubusson and Angus Crichton have been performing well.
“Boyd is a leader of ours but he’s not there tomorrow.”
Kodi Nikorima is meanwhile set to return on the bench for the Warriors, after being named in the extended squad this week following an ankle injury.
That will mean Chanel Harris-Tavita keeps his spot at five-eighth, after playing the best game of his career in last Friday’s win over Manly.