Some good news for Tigers on injury front
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The loss of winger Marika Koroibete for at least six weeks could be softened by the return of several key Wests Tigers players for their Monday night clash with Brisbane.
Centre Chris Lawrence (ankle and hamstring) and back-rower Liam Fulton (knee) ran on Monday for the first time since being sidelined, giving the Tigers a boost after their 20-18 win over Penrith on Sunday, their second successive victory.
Centre Blake Ayshford (ankle) is almost certain to make a return against the Broncos, while Lawrence, Fulton and fullback James Tedesco (leg) could make their way back into the squad.
''Blake's the most likely; the other guys are still in doubt,'' Tigers coach Mick Potter said.
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''We'll build them up through the week. The good thing is we've got an eight-day turnaround. We won't be taking any risks with James. I'll get further indication as the week goes on with them all, how they respond.
''Once they graduate through some hurdles … sometimes they get to about 80 per cent and pull up sore. That'll be an indicator.''
Lawrence took his protective boot off on Monday and ran while his teammates completed a recovery session.
''He felt all right,'' Potter said. ''Obviously there was no load on it. He was just jogging, and there's a long way between jogging and where we want him.''
However, hooker and captain Robbie Farah is considered long odds to return against the Broncos because of the fractured eye socket he incurred in NSW's win over Queensland in Origin I.
Club doctor Donald Kuah conceded Farah was ''very doubtful'' for the Broncos match. ''Twelve days afterwards is a fair ask,'' he said.
Meanwhile, Koroibete will have X-rays on Tuesday after the elbow dislocation he suffered in the Panthers game. He will be sidelined for at least six weeks, regardless of whether or not a fracture shows on the X-rays.
The Tigers' other winger against Penrith, David Nofoaluma, fared better, but is still in severe doubt to face the Broncos due to an ankle injury. He was in a protective boot on Monday. That gave the Tigers mixed news after their win over the Panthers, which lifted them off the bottom of the premiership ladder. Potter, though, was wary of the players getting ahead of themselves.
''We've turned around the scoreboard a bit, but I still think we've got a lot of work to do,'' he said. ''We're a long way from where we want to be.''
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Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/some-good-news-for-tigers-on-injury-front-20130610-2o08r.html#ixzz2VrFl3wp1
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Backline could have some problems - No Koroibete. Nofoaluma in severe doubt. Lawrence long odds. Teddy a possibilty. Ayshford most likely. I'd run with:
1\. Meaney
2\. Naiyaravaro
3\. Ayshford
4\. Reddy/Simona
5\. Simona/Reddy
