NRL: Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck remains in doubt against Panthers

Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is in a race against time to prove his fitness for Saturday's NRL Elimination Final against the Panthers in Sydney.

The fullback suffered an ankle injury during the Warriors' 20-16 win over the Canberra Raiders last Friday and sat out the team's training session during the week.

The team departed for Australia on Thursday morning and the club's Player of the Year showed no signs of the injury suffered against Canberra, as he walked freely towards the departure gate.

Veteran forward Simon Mannering is carrying a sternum injury, but he's expected to be fit for the clash at ANZ Stadium.

Assistant coach Andrew McFadden expects both players to be fit, but they have to prove their fitness at Friday's captain's run.

Simon Mannering.
Simon Mannering. Photo credit: Getty Images

"We're hopeful," said McFadden. "Roger hasn't run yet, but that's just to give him the best chance physically. 

"He's obviously played the majority of our games this year, so he should be right and Simon had a good run yesterday, so we're hopeful.

If Tuivasa-Sheck is ruled out, Peta Hiku will likely play fullback, with Gerard Beale coming off the bench to start in the centres.

"He'll have a run [tomorrow], so we can get a real indication, but he looks pretty good.

"There is a chance [Roger won't play]. He obviously has to be fit, but we're hopeful, but the medical staff say he'll be fine.

"We have Gerard Beale on the bench and Peta Hiku can slot in, if need be. If worst come to worst, we'll be fine."

The Warriors beat the Panthers 36-16 last time the two teams met a fortnight ago, but Penrith were without James Maloney and the Warriors were without Blake Green.

NRL: Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck remains in doubt against Panthers

Heading into the playoffs, the Warriors are 4-1 in their last five outings - an NRL best - while the Panthers have been far from their best.

All that adds to the pressure of the match, but McFadden is confident the Warriors won't buckle.

"We just need to stick to what we've been doing. We didn't have Blake Green last time we played and they didn't have Maloney. Both guys will add a significant amount of control to each other's sides, so it will be a real battle.

"We've got a plan, we're confident in that, so we have to stick to it and put some pressure on the opposition." 

The Warriors haven't beaten Penrith in Australia since 2012.

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