Fusitu'a in as Warriors wait on Hurrell

Should Konrad Hurrell be forced to sit out this weekend's match, coach Andrew McFadden has nominated winger-turned-centre David Fusitu'a as his likely replacement. Photo / Jason Oxenham

David Fusitu'a has been named as 18th man for the Warriors as they sweat on the fitness of centre Konrad Hurrell ahead of Sunday's clash against the Melbourne Storm at Mt Smart Stadium (4pm kick-off).

Hurrell sent alarm bells ringing when he suffered an injury to his left arm while taking part in some opposed drills at team training today, and was assisted from the field by medical staff with his arm in a sling.

Should the 23-year-old Tongan international be forced to sit out this weekend's match, McFadden nominated winger-turned- centre Fusitu'a as his likely replacement.

"We're still not sure yet. Hopefully it's not too bad," said McFadden.

"We were doing some diving on loose ball just at the start of the training session. I think he just fell awkwardly so I'm not too sure how bad it is.

"Obviously he didn't finish the session and that puts him in some doubt for this weekend but I'll get a more extensive report from out medical staff hopefully very soon.

"He's (Fusitu'a) been playing terrific football in our NSW Cup side. He's very damaging so if Konrad wasn't able to pull fit then probably Dave will come in."

Sunday's game will be halfback Shaun Johnson's 99th appearance in Warriors colours, moving him within one match of becoming the club's 23rd 100-game player.

That will leave him on track to bring up his century against the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium on July 19; he made his debut against the same side and at the same venue in 2011.

The 24-year-old has collected 34 points in his last two outings against the Gold Coast Titans and the Canberra Raiders to take his career tally past 500 points (and 100 for the season).

With 526 points, he has gone past Ivan Cleary (439) this season and is poised to overtake James Maloney (547) to move into third position on the club's all-time list.

The top two spots belong to Stacey Jones (674) and Manu Vatuvei, who has an all-tries total of 584 points.

With the Michael Moore Trophy at stake, the Warriors are seeking a run of three straight wins for the second time this season.

After beating Gold Coast 36-14 and Canberra 30-8 they have won five of their last seven games to have a share of fourth spot on 20 points; they're seventh on points for and against.

The Storm are also on 20 points and sitting fifth but have lost their last three games and four of their last five. Their most recent win was against Penrith on June 6.

The visitors are set to be boosted by the return of their Queensland State of Origin players Cameron Smith, Will Chambers and Cooper Cronk provided they come through tomorrow night's series decider in Brisbane.

Smith is in line to achieve one of the game's biggest milestones with his 300th NRL appearance on Sunday.

The Warriors will be hoping their experienced forwards Jacob Lillyman and Ryan Hoffman survive as well as they look to join Ben Matulino, Nathan Friend, Simon Mannering and Bodene Thompson in a settled starting pack.

Lillyman, Hoffman, Mannering, Thompson and Matulino have started 14 of the club's 15 games so far (Lillyman and Hoffman missed just the match against the Roosters ahead of Origin II).

Overall the Warriors have 15 wins, two draws and 18 losses in 35 encounters with the Storm.

At Mount Smart Stadium the record is 8-8 after 16 matches so far. In the last 10 games stretching back to 2010 the rivals are also even at 5-5.

Warriors: 1. Sam Tomkins, 2. Tuimoala Lolohea, 3. Konrad Hurrell, 4. Solomone Kata, 5. Manu Vatuvei, 6. Chad Townsend, 7. Shaun Johnson, 8. Jacob Lillyman, 9. Nathan Friend, 10. Ben Matulino, 11. Bodene Thompson, 12. Ryan Hoffman, 13. Simon Mannering (c).

Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Raymond Faitala-Mariner, 16. Charlie Gubb, 17. Albert Vete, 18. David Fusitu'a.