GREATER Western Sydney coach Leon Cameron will have trouble picking a squad to take to Perth this week with news that Steve Johnson and Rory Lobb have been added to a monster injury list.
Johnson has been ruled out of the Giants' game against West Coast on Sunday with his recurring knee issue flaring up, while Lobb has succumbed to a groin injury he struggled with in the lead up to, and during, last week's win over Richmond.
GWS had just six senior listed players in their NEAFL side last week, and Cameron is likely to head to the selection table with just 26 players to choose from for the Eagles clash.
GWS Head of Athletic Performance David Joyce said Johnson and Lobb would miss one or two games.
Match preview: West Coast v Greater Western Sydney
“Steve has been pulling up quite sore in recent weeks and his knee just hasn’t recovered well enough this week so he won’t be available to play," Joyce said.
“Rory has received two heavy knocks to his pelvis in the last fortnight.
“He’s been sore as a result and hasn’t quite got to the level that we need early this week, and we’ve made the early decision to focus on his recovery in order to get him right as soon as possible.
“We’re confident that with the right treatment both players won’t be far away from returning to the field.”
The pair joins Stephen Coniglio (ankle), Nick Haynes (hamstring), Devon Smith (knee), Jacob Hopper (finger) and Ryan Griffen (ankle) as long-term outs at the club, with recruit Brett Deledio (calf) still yet to be seen on the field.
Adam Kennedy (knee) and Matt Buntine (knee) have already been ruled out for the season after undergoing knee reconstructions.
In better news, Tendai Mzungu (hamstring) has started training and could be ready to play in the next fortnight, with Hopper and Haynes hopeful of a return, along with Deledio, around the Giants' round 13 mid-season bye.