Penrith are likely to turn to versatile NRL back Brent Naden to fill the sizeable hole left by injured winger Brian To’o when they face Cronulla on Saturday.
To’o is facing two months on the sidelines after scans on Monday confirmed he suffered a grade-three syndesmosis injury against the Wests Tigers
Fifth in the league in tackle busts, To’o has been a major factor in Penrith’s impressive from as they sit second after eight rounds of the disrupted season.
His 172 metres per game is second highest in the club behind Josh Mansour.
“He’ll definitely be a big loss. He’s been playing great footy for us,” Mansour said.
“He’s exciting, he’s powerful, and he does an awesome job in the backfield.”
The absence of their robust No.5 means coach Ivan Cleary is set to lean on Naden, who covered for an injured Dean Whare against the Tigers.
Naden deputised for Mansour in their win over South Sydney.
“I definitely think he’ll be in consideration,” Mansour said.
“Nado’s been doing an awesome job every time he’s come into the side.
“Away from the team he’s doing a lot of work on his diet, training hard, and I think he’s really turned a page in terms of his professionalism there.”
Mansour himself came through unscathed after missing the Rabbitohs game with a knee issue he will have to manage for the rest of the season.
The former Kangaroos winger believes most clubs will be conservative with their injured players in a season condensed by the coronavirus pandemic.
“Ivan made the call just to rest me that week (against South Sydney) and I was fit and firing for the Tigers game,” Mansour said.
“Not only us, but the majority of the teams in the NRL will start looking at rotations, bringing in fresh guys and giving them game time.
“It’s a long season, there’s no byes this year, so it’s going to be a very crucial thing to do in terms of player management.”
Mansour threw his support behind his coach, who has been criticised for blowing kisses and waving at a disgruntled Tigers fan after Saturday’s tense win.
The fallout over the interaction prompted the supporter to formally apologise to both the Tigers and Panthers for his behaviour.
“I liked it, eh,” Mansour said of Cleary’s reaction.
“I thought it added a bit of theatre to the game, just a bit of banter, it was just harmless in the end.
“It’s good to see a bit of emotion at the end from Ivan.”