Star five-eighth told to come back 100 per cent fit despite mounting toll.
The Wests Tigers have confirmed they will not name Benji Marshall for their must-win clash with the Canterbury Bulldogs in round eight, despite the club being ravaged by more injuries.
Marshall is currently out of action after sustaining a toe injury against the Melbourne Storm in week five and is listed not to return to action until round nine.
However, Tigers coach Mick Potter will not risk further injury to Marshall and cruel his team’s chance this season, which have already taken several massive hits through seven rounds.
The casualty ward at Tigers grew again after their loss to Brisbane with both first-choice centres Blake Ayshford (ankle) and Chris Lawrence (hamstring) set to miss six weeks after scans revealed the extent of their injuries.
Compounding the problem for Potter is also the season-ending knee injury to fullback Tim Moltzen, after he ruptured his ACL against the Broncos.
Despite the mounting injury toll and the Tigers sitting in 14th place on the ladder with just two wins this season, prop Aaron Woods said he would prefer Marshal to come back when he’s ready.
“We want him to be 100 per cent right,” Woods said
“Because if he comes back 80 per cent, he’ll come back and hurt himself and we’ll lose him for the rest of the year, which we don’t want.
“We’re giving Benji as much time as he wants.
“I don’t know if he’ll play this week, or the next couple of weeks – it’s just up to the physio.”
Others currently out of action for the Tigers include Braith Anasta (groin), Keith Galloway (chest), Matt Bell (finger) James Gavet (knee), David Nofoaluma (knee) and Lote Tuqiri (arm).
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