Warriors tackle Penrith without Green

There is good and bad news for the Warriors as they look to secure a place in the NRL top eight against the Panthers at home on Friday.

Senior playmaker Blake Green has been ruled out after succumbing to the calf injury he picked up during last week’s one-point loss to the Bulldogs in Sydney.

However, coach Stephen Kearney is set to welcome back Tohu Harris after the star back-rower missed the last six games with knee issues.

The eighth-placed Warriors need to win one of their last two regular season games to guarantee a place in the finals Warriors: and the absence of Green is a blow to their chances against Penrith.

Green has been replaced in the No 6 jersey by Mason Lino but is expected to make a swift return for next week’s match against the Raiders. Lino’s selection is the only change to the starting lineup used in the last three games.

Harris comes onto the bench for Leivaha Pulu after being sidelined since the loss to the Sharks in late June with meniscus tears in both knees.

It’s a timely inclusion for the Warriors. Prior to his injuries, Harris was one of the form back-rowers in the NRL.

The former Storm forward is joined on the bench by utility Peta Hiku, who is poised to make his 100th career appearance.

Simon Mannering, meanwhile, will play his 299th game this week as he looks to become the first player to rack up 300 matches for the Warriors the following week against Canberra.

The Panthers, who are two points above the Warriors in fifth, are coming off a shock loss to the Knights last week.