Green to miss Penrith showdown

The Warriors have had a mix of good and bad news on the injury front, ahead of Friday’s clash with Penrith.

Tohu Harris is set to return from a knee injury but senior half Blake Green will miss just his second match of the season after straining a calf muscle in the loss to the Bulldogs.

Centre Gerard Beale has also been named, making a quick recovery after appearing to pick up a slight hamstring twinge at ANZ Stadium.

The return of Harris is vital. The right edge hasn’t been the same in his absence, as the Warriors have leaked plenty of tries down that flank and also struggled for offensive impact.

Harris needed minor surgery to repair a tear in his left knee after the round 16 match against Cronulla, before succumbing to the same complaint in his right knee ahead of the Dragons match in Woollongong.

“He’s pulled up pretty good,” coach Stephen Kearney told Radio Sport. “He’s obviously had a fair preparation and the injury wasn’t quite as bad as the first knee injury he had. Barring any mishaps, he will be good to take his place in the team.”

With his lack of game time, Harris has been named on the bench, with Kearney to decide later in the week. However he has superb natural fitness and mental resilience — similar to Simon Mannering — and it wouldn’t surprise if he started.

Green’s absence was signposted after he left the field in the second half on Sunday. It’s a significant blow, though Kearney was hopeful the Australian would return for the final round against Canberra.

“He’s progressed pretty well,” said Kearney. “He had something similar in the pre-season [and] it’s a matter of how he pulls up. [We are] not going to rush him and we will tread lightly over the next couple of days.”

Though Mason Lino is a capable deputy, he and Shaun Johnson have played together only once this season, and neither have Green’s organisational ability.