NRL: Warriors may need some propping up

The Warriors have been linked with Melbourne prop Brett White. Photo / Getty Images

Getting Steve Price on the field remains the favoured option but the Warriors are also considering going to the market to plug what is now a gaping hole at prop.

With Price, Sam Rapira, Upu Poching and Jacob Lillyman all injured for at least the medium term, recruitment manager Dean Bell confirmed the option of bringing in an experienced prop mid-season was now on the table.

"I wouldn't say we are in desperation to find somebody but it is certainly part of our discussions at the moment," Bell said.

The club has already been linked with Melbourne Storm's representative star Brett White, but Bell downplayed that possibility, saying potential targets had not yet been identified.

With the Storm almost certain to be forced to part with a number of senior players to comply with the salary cap, Jeff Lima and Adam Blair could also come into the frame.

"We'd be interested, but nobody knows what's going on in Melbourne," Bell said. "It's a case of just waiting until the investigation is finished. Every club is waiting to see what happens there. We are not the only ones."

Mid-season signings were relatively rare and options would likely be limited, making such a move less attractive, Bell said.

Initially feared to be out for the season, Rapira's expected return in five weeks had lessoned the pressure to bring in immediate cover. Much would still depend on Price, with the club hopeful he might yet overcome the debilitating heal injury that has prevented him from playing this season.

"We'd rather have him back than bring somebody else in," Bell said.

"That is our fist priority, to get him back on the field. We are missing him. It is a big void to fill.

"It is just a case of waiting. I think we'll know a bit more in a couple of weeks.

"If he can overcome it we are going to be in a good position at the back end of the year. But there is a big question mark as to whether that is going to be the case or not."

There was some positive news, with Brett Seymour expected to be fit to face competition leaders St George Illawarra at Mt Smart on Sunday.

Seymour departed early in the second half of Friday night's 50-6 thrashing at the hands of the Tigers but that move appears to have been mainly precautionary.

Five-eighth James Maloney may also return after missing the Tigers match with a bruised back and hip.