Injury woes for Warriors after win over Wests Tigers

Shaun Johnson gets medical attention at Mt Smart Stadium. Photo: Getty Images
Shaun Johnson gets medical attention at Mt Smart Stadium. Photo: Getty Images
The Warriors are hoping Issac Luke and Adam Blair will not miss any games but are sweating on the fitness of Shaun Johnson after he suffered an ankle injury in Saturday night's 26-4 NRL win over Wests Tigers.

The trio all departed play in the second half with Luke dislocating his shoulder attempting a tackle in the 55th minute before Blair and Johnson followed in quick succession after rolling their ankles.

Luke appeared to be the worst off but coach Stephen Kearney explained it was a recurring problem for the 30-year-old veteran, while Blair was walking comfortably post-match and expects to be fit for next Saturday's home game against the Sydney Roosters.

Johnson and Luke will have scans today, after the No 7 exited Auckland's Mt Smart on crutches and with his leg in a moon boot, and Luke downplayed his injury despite having his arm in a sling.

"Shaun will need to get some pictures of it but I was pleased he walked off the field so we'll just see how he pulls up," said Kearney.

"(Luke's) had that injury before and Adam's rolled his ankle so I think he'll be OK.

"Blairy, I could put my house on him playing next week. [Luke], he's not quite doing cartwheels but he's trying to convince me that he's fine and Shaun's walking around ok too."

Back-up hooker and Gold Coast recruit Karl Lawton put his hand up to replace Luke after coming off the bench to make his first appearance for the club and crossing for two tries in three minutes to seal the result.

The 22-year-old looked calm and composed as he dummied and sped through a gap between two static Tigers defenders on an angled run to the line for his first four-pointer, before ducking over from dummy-half to score his second.

However, Luke was hopeful of making another miraculous recovery after overcoming what first appeared to be a serious knee injury suffered in last week's loss to Melbourne to take the field against the Tigers.

"This (sling) makes it look worse than it is but we'll see," said Luke.

"I did it last year against the Bulldogs when I fell wrong.

"I've strapped both my shoulders for the last eight years so I'm best friends with the medical staff at the moment so we'll see how that goes.

"Tomorrow's the medical so we'll figure out what the time frame is and go from there."

Johnson's health remains the biggest concern with the Kiwi international having just returned after two weeks out with a niggling groin problem that also sidelined him for the round four win over the Roosters.

However, in back-up halfback Mason Lino the side have a more than capable replacement if required, as they look to continue their strong start to the season.

-  By David Skipwith 

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