Sam Walker's long-awaited NRL comeback has been delayed by a thumb injury suffered at Sydney Roosters training.
Saturday's game against Newcastle was due to be Walker's first in the top grade since September after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury and playing NSW Cup last week.
But AAP has been told the 22-year-old hurt his thumb at training this week and is set to be ruled out of the round-15 away trip.
The Roosters are yet to publicly confirm Walker's return-to-play timeline, but it is likely he will need multiple weeks to recover.
Sandon Smith looks set to move from the bench to partner impressive rookie Hugo Savala in the Roosters' starting halves on Saturday.
The injury is a big blow to the 10th-placed Roosters, who are fighting to keep pace with the top eight and were hoping Walker could help them navigate the difficult State of Origin period.
The Roosters' five Origin representatives makes them the equal-most decimated club for the second match of the series, to be played in Perth on Wednesday.
They will need to fire without their Origin representatives and possibly also Walker ahead of Origin III as well, given they do not have the bye in round 18 - the weekend before the final match of the series.
