League: Tigers hopeful for Marshall, injury worries for Warriors

Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens has dismissed concerns about the long-term playing future of injured Benji Marshall, but he is less sure about Marshall's immediate prospects.

The five-eighth will visit a specialist on Thursday, who will determine whether the gifted playmaker makes it back on the field again this season.

Marshall dislocated his surgically repaired shoulder in the closing minutes of Friday night's clash against North Queensland in Townsville.

It is feared the injury will sideline him for the remainder of the season, but Tigers coach Tim Sheens says the club is holding out some hope Marshall will play again this year.

Meanwhile, Warriors coach Ivan Cleary is resigned to being without Manu Vatuvei for the next few weeks.

Vatuvei has torn a hamstring, and faces a race against time to be fit for next month's ANZAC league test in Brisbane.

His absence has given Patrick Ah Van another start on the wing in this weekend's match against Canberra across the Tasman, after making his debut last week.

Cleary said the 18-year-old deserves another opportunity after doing a decent job against Manly.

Jerome Ropati is also out this week with a hamstring problem, but he is expected to be fine for the next round.

There was better news for Lance Hohaia, who is back from the rugby league wilderness, being named as the 18th man for the Canberra clash.

Hohaia has spent the last couple of weeks playing Bartercard Cup.

Cleary was unsure whether Hohaia would get a run at this stage, but said Hohaia had played well in the local competition and offered a few different options.

- NEWSTALK ZB