Another name has joined the ever-increasing NZ Warriors injury toll, after utility back Adam Keighran went down hurt at Monday's training.
The 23-year-old will have scans to determine the extent of a knee issue, as the team prepare to relocate from Tamworth to its new base in Gosford on Wednesday.
Keighran has shifted into the centres to start the season and has impressed with his progress since training resumed.
"We had testing the first day that we come back, we had 8-9 [personal bests] and he was one of them," says half Kodi Nikorima.
"He came back in really good shape, he was training really well. Very unfortunate that he went down with an injury last night."
Keighran's loss comes just days after injuries to Leeson Ah Mau and Jazz Tevaga decimated the club's forward stocks, and a request for a loan player has already been rejected by the NRL.
While Nikorima acknowledges the injuries have been a significant setback for the team, he's not looking for sympathy from other sides, insisting it's more an opportunity for some younger fringe players to step up and make their mark.
"I don't want teams out there or anyone feeling sorry for us, because we've committed to this [with our] families," he says.
"Obviously we miss them dearly, but we had a week's notice before we decided to make the move over and we were all for it.
"It's a good opportunity for some young players coming through to stamp their authority on this team and in the NRL. We've got that next-man-up mentality."
The Warriors kick off their restarted NRL campaign against the St George-Illawarra Dragons on May 30 at Central Coast Stadium.
