Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson could reprise Blake Ferguson's fullback role at the NRL club as he attempts to deal with an increasing injury toll.
NSW star Ferguson could replace Latrell Mitchell at fullback for the Roosters round 14 match with Melbourne on Saturday, after the rookie star suffered an ankle injury.
Mitchell and Roosters forward Isaac Liu both suffered suspected syndesmosis (high ankle strain) in the Roosters' 32-18 win over Wests Tigers on Sunday.
They will likely join stars Boyd Cordner and Shaun Kenny-Dowall on the sidelines for the Storm clash, with halfback Mitchell Pearce also struggling to overcome a calf injury in time.
That trio all missed the win over the Tigers.
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And Robinson said the initial outlook wasn't good for Mitchell and Liu. Both players suffered the injuries in the first half of the Allianz Stadium encounter with Wests and didn't return.
"Short term it doesn't look good, I just hope it is OK," Robinson said.
"It (syndesmosis) is pretty common these days."
Ferguson has been pencilled in as a long-term option for the Roosters as custodian after Roger Tuivasa-Sheck defected to the Warriors in the off season. However Mitchell grabbed the No.1 spot with a number of impressive displays.
Parramatta fullback Michael Gordon had been linked to a mid-season move to Bondi but that has cooled.
Rookie Connor Watson filled in at fullback in the second half against the Tigers in the absence of Mitchell and could be another option for Robinson.
"There are a couple of decisions to make these week, I doubt Latrell will be there," Robinson said.
