Injury Report: Setback for Kosi two games into comeback

One New Zealand Warriors winger Edward Kosi has been set back by another knee injury just two matches into his return from a lengthy lay-off.

The 24-year-old lasted only six minutes of the club’s New South Wales Cup match against South Sydney last Friday night before leaving the field with his second knee injury in less than two months, this time to his right knee.

One New Zealand Warriors head of performance Balin Cupples said Kosi suffered a high grade MCL (medial cruciate ligament) injury in contact. He has returned to his normal walking gait and is building strength with a planned return in the final rounds of the regular season.

Kosi played in the first 10 rounds of the NRL season but was sidelined for seven weeks with a medial femoral condylar fracture in his left knee suffered in the Magic Round clash against Penrith on May 6.

He made a successful return with the NSW Cup side against St George Illawarra on June 24 only to suffer another setback a week later.

Middle forward Jazz Tevaga (calf) is continuing to build his running loads on grass and is also moving into some skill integration while Te Maire Martin is building his tolerance to full weight running.

Cupples said rookie forward Demitric Sifakula is into his rehab run phase before joining team skills late next week.

Young centre Ali Leiataua is building strength and has started some drilling work in his preparation to run.

Also unavailable is second rower Marata Niukore, who is serving the second game of a three-match suspension. It means he misses the chance to line up against his former Parramatta club for the first time since returning to the Warriors.