Canberra's unlikely, charmed run to the NRL's top four has hit an early roadblock with English import Matty Nicholson facing three months on the sideline.
Back-rower Nicholson has been a revelation since arriving at Canberra from Super League club Warrington over the off-season.
The 21-year-old Yorkshireman has made a spot on the Raiders' right edge his own, registering five tries in nine games.
But Nicholson is now staring at a prolonged absence from the NRL after sustaining an ankle injury and fracture to his fibula in last weekend's loss to Canterbury.
Zac Hosking looms as the most likely option for coach Ricky Stuart to turn to with the ex-Penrith and Brisbane forward proving a versatile option for the Green Machine this season.
Nicholson's absence will be a mighty blow to Stuart's side who have confounded pre-season expectations to sit in the top four.
The Raiders (7-3) play struggling Gold Coast on Sunday in what will represent the last chance for Nicholson's fellow second-rower Hudson Young the chance to press his claims for a NSW State of Origin recall.
