Injuries mounting for battling Canterbury

Mar 9, 2017 - 4:33 PM Canterbury may be forced to select exciting young outside back Marcelo Montoya after Will Hopoate was taken to hospital and Kerrod Holland suffered a shoulder injury in Thursday's 28-24 loss to the Sydney Roosters.

Des Hasler's squad is about to receive a test of its depth after the pair went down in a bruising encounter at Allianz Stadium.

Hopoate was taken to hospital with a suspected fractured eye socket after a nasty head collision with Zane Tetevano in the second half.

"He's gone to hospital just for a check up. He's got a pretty good concussion and there might be a fracture around his eye," Hasler said.

Winger Holland is expected to miss several weeks after going over on his shoulder while scoring the side's opening try.

Holland's exit from the game not only forced Hasler into reshuffling his backline, but also move key back-rower Josh Jackson to centre.

Holland;s goal-kicking was also missed with stand-in kicker Moses Mbye struggling with the boot.

Mbye missed three conversions and Hasler admitted the match could have turned out differently had Holland stayed on.

"He's hurt his shoulder so he'll be out for a little while," Hasler said.

"Which is a shame because he probably would have kicked a couple of those goals."

Should Hopoate be ruled out, Brett Morris is likely to move to fullback, opening the door for highly-rated youngster Montoya to make his NRL debut on the wing.

Reimis Smith, who scored two tries on debut last year, and Tyrone Phillips also shape as options.

Hasler praised his side after they shrugged off a hefty injury toll to get within four of the Roosters.

"All those trademarks are embedded into this club and into this team," Hasler said.

"We just need to start getting some results."

Source: AAP