NZ Warriors hooker Wayde Egan has been cleared of any serious injury but seems likely to miss at least the opening round of their 2021 NRL campaign.
On Saturday, Egan left the field with a shoulder injury just 15 minutes into their trial game against the Gold Coast Titans, which ended in a 12-12 draw.
According to club consultant Phil Gould, an MRI has revealed a medial collateral sprain but no break to any bone or tear to any tendon or ligament, allaying initial fears that he may have dislocated his shoulder.
They hope to have Egan back in action for their round two clash with the Newcastle Knights on March 19.
Coach Nathan Brown will have breathed a sigh of relief at the news, with his hooker stocks already depleted by the loss of first-choice Karl Lawton to a season-ending achilles injury.
In the meantime, utility Jazz Tevaga shapes as the leading candidate to wear the No.9 jersey in the, having filled in alongside Bailey Sironen after Egan's departure on Saturday.
"Both those guys did a very solid job but that had a bit of an impact on our attack," Brown said.
The Warriors open their season against the Titans on March 13.
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