Canterbury have suffered a huge blow on the eve of the NRL finals with Jacob Kiraz needing up to four weeks to recover from his foot injury.
The season could now be over for in-form winger Kiraz, who left the field after landing awkwardly on his left foot in the second half of Thursday night's win over Penrith.
Initial concerns had been for an ankle injury but scans on Friday confirmed a foot sprain and some small fractures.
If the 23-year-old needs four weeks to recover, he would be missing until the third week of the finals, if the third-placed Bulldogs' premiership tilt stretches that far.
Kiraz has been crucial to Canterbury's success this season with both his yardage carries and try-scoring, coming close to a State of Origin debut for NSW earlier in the year.
His Bulldogs are guaranteed to reach at least the second week of the finals, with the 28-4 defeat of the Panthers confirming a first top-four finish since 2012, and double chance in the finals.
Coach Cameron Ciraldo said after fulltime that any of Jethro Rinakama, Enari Tuala or Blake Wilson could slot into Kiraz's spot should he miss the Dogs' final game of the regular season.
But rookie Rinakama and Tuala, replacement player on Thursday, appear likelier to face Cronulla than Wilson given the Manly-bound 25-year-old last played first grade in round 15.
