Cronulla expect to be without centre Jesse Ramien for close to a month after scans confirmed the Sharks speedster suffered a medial ligament tear.
Ramien hurt his knee in the second half of the team's win over the Dolphins on Sunday, with scans having since picked up a grade-two tear.
Cronulla have a bye next week, sandwiched between games against Sydney Roosters, North Queensland and Wests Tigers.
Ramien's injury is a significant hit to the Sharks' backline stocks, given winger Ronaldo Mulitalo is already missing the majority of the season with an ACL rupture.
Cronulla have called Mawene Hiroti in to play centre in place of Ramien for Saturday's clash with the Roosters in Perth.
Briton Nikora has been named to play in the west despite copping another blow to his broken nose last week, while prop Tom Hazleton is fighting to overcome an ankle issue.
Australian Associated Press
