Hamstring injury nothing to worry about, been made bigger than it is: Green

AUCKLAND: Senior Warriors playmaker Blake Green insists his hamstring injury is ‘‘nothing to worry about’’ but is no certainty to play in the side’s NRL trials.

The 32yearold fiveeighth pulled up lame during a ball work session earlier this week but expects he will resume training with the side in the next two to three weeks.

‘‘No, it’s not a big concern. I just strained my hammy,’’ Green said.

‘‘It’s week 14 of preseason and I just picked it up on Tuesday morning when we did a skills session.

‘‘It’s nothing to worry about. Two or three weeks and I’ll be back out there, I reckon.’’

Green dismissed suggestions the injury could rule him out of the Warriors seasonopening clash against Canterbury on March 15.

The 139game veteran is not expected to play in the Warriors first trial hitout against Melbourne in Geelong on February 22, but is hopeful of being cleared to face Wests Tigers in their second and final warmup game in Whangarei on March 2.

‘‘I’m not sure yet. I haven’t put a time limit on it,’’ he said.

‘‘It’s not a big concern. It’s been made bigger than it is.’’

Green might be surprised by the level of concern over his hamstring but his status as the club’s most experienced playmaker means his fitness will be under heavy scrutiny throughout the season.

Following the controversial offseason departure of Kiwis test No 7 Shaun Johnson to Cronulla, Green is expected to lead the Warriors attack alongside one of the club’s young halves.

Former Penrith and Canterbury rookie Adam Keighran (21) and teenage Junior Kiwis playmaker Chanel Harris Tavita (19) are the leading contenders to slot in alongside him.

Both players have plenty of potential but are yet to be tested in first grade and Green’s longterm health will be pivotal to the side’s title hopes.

Warriors assistant coach Stacey Jones said Green’s injury was not a concern and believes his absence from training means the younger duo have more of an opportunity to find their feet.

The pair opposed each other at training yesterday, Green shadowing them and offering tips, advice, and encourage ment from the back field.

‘‘It’s just precautionary,’’ Jones said.

‘‘When players his age go through a lot of the preseason it’s tough on their bodies.

‘‘When players like that pull up a little bit tight in certain areas you’ve got to give them a bit of a rest.