Warriors quiet on Johnson injury

The Warriors remain tight-lipped on the status of Shaun Johnson’s knee as they face the rest of their NRL season without their star halfback.

The 26-year-old left the field with what looked to be a serious injury in the second half of the side’s 34-22 loss to the Penrith Panthers in Auckland on Friday night.

Following the match, teammate Kieran Foran said Johnson was shattered in the locker room.

‘‘He’s not too sure what it is. We’ve haven’t been told exactly what the final outcome is but he was pretty disappointed,’’ he said on Friday night.

‘‘It’s hard to take any injury let alone one like that that happens all of a sudden. We’re just getting around him and hoping he’s going to be OK.’’

Since then, the club has offered little in terms of the playmaker.

On Sunday evening a club spokesman said they had ‘‘nothing further at this stage’’ in regards to Johnson’s situation.

The lack of information appears to point towards a lengthy stint on the sidelines.

If the injury is as serious as it appeared, it will be his second major injury in three seasons with his 2015 campaign cut short due to a broken ankle.

But while Johnson’s situation is murky, what is becoming very clear is the uphill battle the Warriors face to crack the top eight. And that challenge is made even tougher without their oft-criticised but hugely important No 7.

Young Ata Hingano appears the likely replacement for Johnson having already looked solid while covering for Foran.

Tuimoala Lolohea would have been another option had the club not already released him to sign with the Tigers in May. condition of their star