Coach Andrew Webster believes injured star centre Leka Halasima can still play a part in the Warriors' NRL premiership charge, though it may not come until the preliminary final if his side makes it that far.
But prop Jackson Ford has been dealt another setback to his season.
New Zealand were rocked in the lead-up to their crushing 26-16 qualifying final loss to the Dolphins last Saturday when Halasima suffered a hamstring injury in the warm-up.
Their woes worsened when Ford picked up an ankle injury on his return from a 12-week lay-off due to a pectoral rupture.
Although Webster conceded Ford wouldn't play in the side's do-or-die semi-final against Newcastle on Sunday, he kept the door ajar for Halasima by listing him among the reserves.
“Leka’s not out yet," the coach said, before adding Halasima was "highly doubtful" but was "a chance" if the Warriors progressed.
“He just went for a run, and when they trotted out, he felt something, and his exact words were, 'I just don't want to let the boys down. I think I've done my hamstring'.
"In hindsight, it's not as bad as we think."
An injury cloud also hangs over Dallin Watene-Zelezniak as the winger recovers from surgery on a broken collarbone sustained in round 25.
Watene-Zelezniak was named among the reserves as he is ahead of schedule and has started contact training, according to Webster.
“He's inspirational. He's fearless. He just wants to play so badly for the team," Webster said of Watene-Zelezniak.
"I've had to hold him back a bit at times. But he's saying, 'No, give me an opportunity'.
"He's got to tick a lot of boxes. The science is probably against him and he might not get there, but we'll give him another chance."
Halfback Luke Metcalf also won't play on Sunday as he looks to return from a right hamstring injury, while three-gamer Morgan Gannon moves onto the bench in Ford's absence.
Regardless of the injury crisis, Webster plans to draw inspiration from his time with Penrith in 2021, where he was an assistant coach for their grand final-winning side.
The Panthers reached the big dance that year in a similar fashion to what the Warriors will aim to do, losing their qualifying final but rallying to beat South Sydney in the decider.
“We lost to Souths ... and I can remember being in the coach's box disappointed," Webster said.
"Whilst it was disappointing, you can't think it's over because we have a long way to go. It's an extra game."
