Campbell Graham is a late omission for South Sydney's NRL clash with the Warriors after the centre failed to pass concussion protocols at their final training.
It's another backline blow for the Rabbitohs who'll also be missing competition leading try-scorer Alex Johnston who is out for up to a month with a hamstring injury.
Latrell Mitchell makes a return however, the star No.1 back in the side after being rested following his breakout State of Origin campaign.
With Josh Mansour and Jaxson Paulo coming onto the wings and Taane Milne moving into the centres, it makes for a very different backline to the one that started last-up in the scrappy 32-24 win against Canterbury.
Coach Wayne Bennett said being able to call on a wide playing group had been a huge plus for Souths in another disrupted year of the NRL.
"The depth has saved us this year," he said on Friday.
"We've had good depth and we've been able to play games without Origin players ... so we're confident."
His side's only three losses have come against Melbourne and Penrith, the Rabbitohs admittedly thrashed when down on personnel for two of those fixtures.
With the second-tier NSW Cup on ice for almost a month following its abandonment in 2020 due to COVID-19, there have been limited opportunities for many NRL players outside the match-day squads.
Bennett said it was starting to take its toll.
"They need some football ... there's a lot of players that aren't getting any football at all and we're all taking injuries and a bit of a disadvantage," he said.
"We're all at the same disadvantage I've got to say, but it's still unfair on the players. This is two years now that these guys haven't played and haven't been able to develop which is the most crucial part.
"I'm not sure how we get around that - not playing football isn't the answer I know that much."
While Souths look well-placed for the top four, a loss for the Warriors could all but consign them to another season out of the finals.
Four points adrift from the top eight and missing captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (concussion), they appear up against it, although performed admirably against competition heavyweights Penrith in a 30-16 loss last round.
Kodi Nikorima returns at five-eighth to replace Tuivasa-Sheck, and says despite the Warriors' struggles, they've still got an eye on final football.
"Morale is still high and high amongst the group, there's a big challenge ahead of us especially if we want to be in the top eight," Nikorima said on Friday.
"The main thing for us is trying to enjoy this moment. Obviously, it's a one of a kind experience that we are experiencing right now ... so we're just trying to enjoy each other's company and just have fun."
Australian Associated Press
