The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs are faced with disappointing news regarding their promising player, Mitchell Woods, who is now unlikely to debut in the NRL this season due to another injury.
Woods has struggled with hamstring issues, suffering a significant tear during the preseason that impacted his chances of joining the Bulldogs for the NRL.
According to AAP, coach Cameron Ciraldo has decided to be cautious with Woods, suggesting that he will be sidelined for the rest of the season following another hamstring setback during his comeback match.
"It's a fairly significant hamstring tear and with his history there, we'll be pretty cautious with it," Ciraldo disclosed to the media on Friday.
"It's not looking great for the rest of the season but he's got a long career ahead of him, and that's what we're focusing on."
In more positive news, Bulldogs powerhouse Viliame Kikau is set to return from a pectoral injury for the match against the Wests Tigers on Saturday.
The Fijian international has been out of action since Round 8 and his presence is expected to bolster the team's performance as they aim for a strong finish to the season.
"You can feel what he (Kikau) brings to the team in training, let alone what he does in the game," Ciraldo noted.
"He's so important to the team as one of the leaders, but also one of the strike players as well."