Reinforcements are on the way for the NZ Warriors, with two Parramatta Eels players set to join the team on loan.
Utility back George Jennings and prop Daniel Alvaro will join the team after the Warriors' clash against Sydney Roosters on Saturday, the club has confirmed.
The Warriors have been desperate to secure loan players, with Ken Maumalo, David Fusitu'a, Agnatius Paasi and King Vuniyayawa due to return to New Zealand on Sunday, ruling them out for the rest of the 2020 season.
Todd Payten's side have struggled with injuries all season and are unable to call on NZ-based players, due to strict travel restrictions into Australia.
"We're hugely appreciative of the support from [head coach] Brad Arthur and the Eels, as well as the NRL, for the work they've done in making this happen," says Warriors recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan.
"We realise all clubs are under pressure through injuries, so this is a fantastic gesture from the Eels to help us at a time when we're certainly thin on players."
Jennings has only featured once for the high-flying Eels this year, while Alvaro has played twice.
Since making his NRL debut in 2015, Jennings has played 23 games, scoring 11 tries, while Alvaro has played 88 games.
"We're delighted to have Daniel and George joining us to boost our stocks in the area where we're the most exposed,” says Warriors interim head coach Payten.
"Daniel has been around for quite a while now, and will give us size and quality in the middle of the park, while George is a real talent.
"We can't thank Brad and the Eels enough for helping us out."
Penrith Panthers forward Jack Hetherington is currently on loan at the club. His deal expires after the Roosters match, but the Warriors hope to keep him on.
The Warriors previously had Poasa Faamausili from the Roosters, but he was recalled, after Sydney lost two players to season-ending injuries.
Earlier this week, Payten expressed his frustrations over NRL clubs not helping the Warriors, despite publicly saying they want to help. Payten added the only players being offered are not up to first-grade standard.
"I think there are several clubs and coaches that, publicly, will say that we're doing a great thing, and would love to help us out and would do anything to do that," says Payten. "But when it comes to the crunch they're not, so that is disappointing.
"When I say first-grade standard, I'm talking about more than 20 games [of experience]. There are a host of other players that are either on the fringe or have played 20 or less.
"If they're going to help us, by all means, I'm willing to take them, but at the moment, if they're giving us players that are untested or fringe players, my thought process is that we're better off getting some experience into our younger guys for the long-term benefit of the club."
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