The Sydney Roosters' road to the NRL finals has hit a speed bump with superboot Michael Gordon to miss the next two months with a pectoral injury.
The Roosters fullback is hoping to be back for the tri-colours' finals campaign after going down in last week's win over South Sydney.
It was feared the veteran would have to undergo season-ending surgery, however scans revealed a more positive prognosis for the competition's top point-scorer.
Not only does coach Trent Robinson face a headache trying to figure out who will fill in at fullback, but how they make up for the loss of Gordon's reliable goal-kicking will also be crucial.
Gordon, 33, was recruited from Parramatta partially for his goal-kicking and hasn't disappointed.
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He has struck the ball at 77 per cent this year - with 55 goals from 71 attempts - and has been successful with his last 15 attempts.
Forward Sio Siua Taukeiaho is likely to assume the goal-kicking duties after proving himself adept with the boot last year and boasts a 77 per cent career strike rate.
Taukeiaho has missed the last three weeks with a hamstring injury but is expected to return against Newcastle after this round's bye.
It could also see playmaker Mitchell Cornish, who was outstanding in his second first-grade game of the year against the Rabbitohs and is looking to earn a new contract, elevated to Robinson's bench for the next few months.
Cornish is also a goal-kicking option but with the classy pairing of Mitchell Pearce and Luke Keary in the halves, fullback might be the 24-year-old's only chance of a start.
However, Latrell Mitchell and Connor Watson shape as the leading candidates to fill the No.1 position during Gordon's rehabilitation.
