Warriors sweating on Lino to be fit for Eels clash

Warriors coach Stephen Kearney is confident Mason Lino will be able to play in Friday night’s game against the Eels in Sydney.

The halfback picked up a leg injury in the second half of the Warriors’ 32-0 loss to the Roosters last weekend and with Shaun Johnson already out injured, it leaves the club in a precarious position.

At yesterday’s training session Lino was only involved in part of it and didn’t take part in any contact work. He also had plenty of strapping around his lower right leg. But at the end of the training session, Kearney said he was optimistic about Lino’s availability at the weekend.

‘‘He’s pretty confident that he’ll get through OK,’’ Kearney said. ‘‘He’s pulled up all right. Everyone is progressing as we anticipated.’’

If Lino is out, it leaves Kearney with a few options – either go with promising young- ster Chanel Harris-Tavita, move Peta Hiku from centre into the halves, or play Tohu Harris there.

Although Harris has played in the halves for the Kiwis in the past, Kearney doesn’t seem so keen on that possibility.

‘‘He’d be a long, tall option,’’ Kearney said of Harris. ‘‘[We’ll do] what I think will work best for the team this week, there’s no doubt we’ll have a look at it.’’

After two big losses in three weeks, to the Storm and Roosters, playing the bottom of the ladder Eels has come at a good time for the Warriors. They should be able to comfortably beat an Eels team that is slowly improving, but certainly not yet up to the Warriors’ level if they play to their potential.

Meanwhile the Warriors have released Zac Santo from his contract.

During Santo’s time with the Warriors he failed to crack the first grade team and the club’s management have allowed him to move to the Townsville Blackhawks, who play in the Queensland Cup.