WITH Joe Philbin on the sidelines for the remainder of the season, the race is on to replace him in the Warrington Wolves side.
It has been confirmed that the prop, who has been ever-present this season until now, suffered an ACL injury against Hull FC on Friday that could sideline him for up to nine months.
> Click here to read the full update on Joe Philbin's season-ending injury
Joe Philbin receives treatment having gone down injured against Hull FC. Picture by Mike Boden
It is a hole that needs to be filled, but there are several players in contention.
Mid-season Kyle Amor could be one of them having missed the 4-0 win over the Black and Whites with a slight hamstring injury.
While the door is open for him to return against Salford Red Devils on Sunday, head coach Daryl Powell is mindful not to push him.
“There’s potential for Kyle to be okay,” he said of the on-loan St Helens prop.
“I wouldn’t want to rush him as he’s had a bit of a hamstring strain. We’ll have to see how he is over the next few days.”
Kyle Amor missed the win over Hull FC with a slight hamstring strain. Picture by SWPix.com
With that in mind, could the door be open for one of Joe Bullock or Jason Clark to return to the fold?
Bullock has not featured in the last two games while Clark, who is leaving to join French side Limoux Grizzlies at the end of the year, has not played since the 12-10 loss to St Helens on May 19.
Former Wigan man Bullock made a try-scoring appearance for the reserves in their win over Hull KR on Saturday and Powell says he is doing all he can to break back into the first team.
Joe Bullock has featured regularly in the first team this season but has been left out of the last two games. Picture by SWPix.com
“There’s competition for places there,” the head coach said when asked about Philbin’s potential replacement.
“Obviously, Joe hasn’t played in the last couple of games but he’s working hard to try and get back in the team and stay in there.
“I thought he played pretty well for the reserves last week, which is all he can do in response.
“It’s a good opportunity for the likes of him and Jason Clark.”
Jason Clark is another option to replace the injured Joe Philbin. Picture by Mike Boden
Another player who featured alongside Bullock for the reserves at the weekend is outside back Greg Minikin, who is in the final stages of his recovery from the same injury as Philbin has just sustained.
A first-team Wire debut is inching closer and while Powell says they must handle him with care, he admits the 27-year-old is “pressing pretty hard.”
“He’s pretty close,” he said when asked how far away a first-team return was for the former Castleford and Hull KR man.
“It’s always a little bit more difficult for an outside back coming back from these sorts of injuries.
“We need to be mindful of when it’s right for him and right for us when he comes into the first team.
“He’s pressing pretty hard having had a couple of reserve games to set him up.”
Greg Minikin has featured in the reserves' past two games. Picture by Bob Brough
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