Rising Highlanders lock Fabian Holland is out for eight to 10 weeks after suffering a dislocated kneecap at a training session.
The 20-year-old giant, who made two appearances as a replacement player last season before earning his first full contract, is targeting a return for the third-round game against the Chiefs in Hamilton.
There is some reasonable cover in the second row in the form of Pari Pari Parkinson, Josh Dickson, Max Hicks and Will Tucker.
But Parkinson is just returning after a year out of rugby, Hicks is still relatively unproven, and Tucker is a Super Rugby rookie, so the Highlanders will be looking to add a temporary replacement lock.
They are also in the market for some cover at prop and outside back.
Tasman prop Luca Inch is out for the season after undergoing surgery on an injured neck.
And Otago outside back Vilimoni Koroi is sidelined until about April after having surgery on an injured knee after the NPC.
