Results of a scan have indicated Warriors centre Jerome Ropati may be back playing sooner than originally anticipated.
Ropati lasted only 27 minutes of Sunday's season-opening loss to Manly at Eden Park, his first NRL match since March 27 last year when his campaign was ended by an ACL kneeinjury.
On Sunday he was forced off the field with what appeared to be a high ankle sprain. It was suggested Ropati might be sidelined for up to six weeks and perhaps a week or two longer.
However, team doctor John Mayhew said an MRI scan had cleared the 131-game centre of a serious ankle injury. He said there was no evidence of a significant high ankle sprain and he hoped Ropati would be available to play again in three or four weeks.
Having spent so long in recovery and rehabilitation after his knee reconstruction, Ropati now joins a rehab group comprising Micheal Luck (wrist), Jacob Lillyman (biceps), Sam Rapira (shoulder) and Steve Rapira (ankle).
