Already without Matt Gillett, Brisbane are reeling after fellow veteran Alex Glenn failed to train ahead of Thursday’s NRL clash with North Queensland.
Former Kiwi international Glenn is considered an unlikely starter in the centres for the must win round 21 clash after suffering a minor knee complaint, with Gehamat Shibasaki on standby.
It is another blow for Broncos coach Anthony Seibold as he sweated on the return of Queensland forward Gillett.
Seibold admitted he was counting on the experience of Glenn in a young Broncos outfit with Gillett still to recover from a back complaint.
“We are missing Gillo, he and Alex add that experience,” Seibold said before Wednesday’s captain’s run at Red Hill.
It was another blow for Brisbane who are hoping to bounce back from last round’s 40-4 thumping from Melbourne and remain in the finals mix with victory over the Cowboys in Townsville.
The 10th-placed Broncos currently sit one point out of the top eight with five rounds remaining.
However, when asked if Brisbane were playing for their season in Townsville, Seibold said: “I haven’t thought about that at all.
“We have had a very narrow focus on the Cowboys.
“There is no excuse for that (display against Melbourne). It certainly wasn’t good enough … but I am sick of talking about it – I want to see some actions.”
While Glenn’s potential omission will be a blow, Brisbane have also not been helped by back-rower Gillett remaining sidelined.
Not sighted since round 15, Gillett had hoped to return against the Cowboys but was overlooked again after experiencing lower back spasms.
Seibold could not give a date for Gillett’s comeback match.
“As far as Gillo is concerned, it is a week by week thing,” he said.
“We sort of thought he would be back next week but he wasn’t. Then this week, we thought (he’d be back) but it has taken a little longer than what the medical staff had hoped.
“Obviously, it is frustrating for Gillo. It’s disappointing for us as a team because we do miss his experience.
“But in situations like this, the welfare of the player comes first.”