The NZ Warriors have received a boost to their playing stocks, as they prepare to restart their NRL campaign this weekend.
Last week, utility Jazz Tevaga joined the Warriors' long injury list, after hurting his knee during training in Tamworth.
But the injury isn't as bad as initially feared and Tevaga now has his sights set on a return to action in round five against the North Queensland Cowboys.
"I ruptured the LCL - a little ligament on the outside of my knee - but the good news is you can avoid getting surgery," Tevaga says.
"The plan is to rehab for the next 3-6 weeks and see if it's stable enough to play."
Club medics had targeted a round seven return against the Melbourne Storm, but Tevaga believes he can be back on the field two weeks earlier that that.
"It did feel a bit uncomfortable, but it wasn’t too bad actually, so I feel good and I reckon I can rehab it."
On Saturday, the Warriors will restart the NRL competition against the St George Illawarra Dragons, whose full-strength pack - which includes James Graham, Paul Vaughan and Tyson Frizell - seems a daunting proposition for the under-manned Aucklanders.
But Tevaga believes his forward counterparts are unfazed and ready to make an impression.
"They've got a pretty classy side, a few stars in that forward pack," Tevaga says.
"The good thing about our young fellas is that they're hungry and they just want to get some NRL experience under way.
"Sometimes, you can get a bit complacent when you know you're versing younger boys. If the Dragons do, they're going to be in trouble, because our young fellas are ready to go."
