Warriors fullback Sam Tomkins is battling to overcome twin hamstring problems and is in doubt for their season opening clash against the Newcastle Knights at Hunter Stadium on Saturday.
Coach Andrew McFadden said Tomkins is experiencing tightness in both hamstrings but will be given until kickoff to prove his fitness.
"He's just pulled up a little sore over the weekend so on Monday he trained and he just tightened up," McFadden explained.
"We've obviously given him today off and we'll take him to Newcastle and hope that he is okay in the captain's run."
Young gun Tuimoala Lolohea trained in Tomkins' place and is ready to switch from the right wing to fill the No1 jersey, with the untested Ken Maumalo set to make his debut on the flank if needed.
With explosive centre Solomone Kata also starting his first NRL match, McFadden conceded the Warriors might be light on experience out wide but backed his young charges to rise to the occasion.
"Yeah it is [a big challenge] but most of those guys have been thrown in the deep end in the Nines as well and had that experience under their belt," he said.
"They all really performed well so that's my thinking around it. They've done the job against a Gold Coast team in Toowoomba, then they had an opportunity against Penrith. This is based on form."
McFadden is counting on hardworking back-rowers Ryan Hoffman and Bodene Thompson to help make up for any short-fall in experience out wide and lead the way defensively with their cool heads and communication skills.
"It is really important with these debutants that we've got those older heads around that are really going to help them through those moments.
"It is going to be tough game and a real challenge for some of these young kids but if we've got that composure around them that will certainly help them get through."
Despite the big wraps on Kata, tagged by some as the next 'Beast' ala Manu Vatuvei, McFadden has realistic expectations and just wants the 20-year-old to focus on doing the basics well.
"That's the key for his performance," he said. "We don't want to over complicate it for him, he's just got to do the basics right, especially when you make your debut.
"So it's a pretty simple message, go out there and enjoy the occasion and do what he does best, and that's in the contact and running the ball."
The Warriors play the Newcastle Knights at Hunter Stadium on Saturday, 6.30pm.