The Sydney Roosters' NRL top-four charge has been dealt another significant blow, with co-captain Jake Friend ruled out for up to a month.
Friend broke his hand at a Roosters training camp on Tuesday, and will have surgery on Wednesday in a bid to return to action in four weeks.
His injury comes at a crucial time for the Roosters, given fullback Michael Gordon was ruled out for the rest of the regular season on Tuesday with a pectoral injury.
The tri-colours also have a difficult month ahead, with clashes against first-placed Melbourne, fourth-ranked Manly and North Queensland in the coming weeks.
The Roosters sit third on 26 points, but only two points clear of the Cowboys in sixth.
They also have concerns regarding their front-line depth at hooker since the release of Paul Carter, who deputised for Friend earlier this year.
Connor Watson will be the likely front-runner to take the position after their found-19 bye, given he has filled in when Friend has gone off the field with concussion this year.
Watson also would have been considered as a replacement for Gordon at the back, along with centre Latrell Mitchell.
Utility Mitchell Aubusson played two games out of dummy-half at the end of 2014 when Friend was injured, while the club blooded youngster Grant Garvey there at the end of last year.
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