Brisbane will put their faith in Tristan Sailor to replace Reece Walsh at fullback rather than Maroons representative Selwyn Cobbo.

Broncos coach Kevin Walters confirmed on Sunday that Sailor would play fullback against North Queensland at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night. Walsh suffered a facial fracture in the 34-12 loss to Penrith on Thursday night and will miss 4-6 weeks.

Cobbo has openly stated that he would love to have a crack at fullback and did well after Walsh went off in the early stages of the loss to the Panthers.

Sailor was solid last year for the Broncos in four NRL games while filling in for Walsh, when he had six try assists

Front-rower Payne Haas (knee) will be out for a month but Walters confirmed captain Adam Reynolds would be given until Thursday to prove his fitness for the Cowboys match after missing the Panthers clash.

“Tristan is going to get his opportunity and a good block of footy to show everybody what he can do,” Walters told AAP. “We are lucky to have such good depth with Tristan.

“He is a natural fullback who reads the game well and is in love with the game, which is really important in those key positions. He has good football instinct.

“We will give Adam until later in the week but if he is not OK I am really comfortable with Jock Madden at halfback, the more football he plays for us the better he is going to be.”

Gold Coast captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui will miss the rest of the season after scans confirmed he tore his anterior cruciate ligament against Canterbury on Saturday.

The Titans confirmed the 24-year-old representative prop had scans in Sydney on Saturday night after the side’s 32-0 loss and a further analysis by a club doctor on Sunday morning reinforced the worst possible news.

Fa’asuamaleaui, the team’s best player, was assisted from the field in the 66th minute at Belmore after his right knee twisted when he was carrying the football.

The injury has left the Titans in a dire situation after their winless start to the season, which includes a 28-4 loss to St George Illawarra where Fa’asuamaleaui ran for 182 metres and made 28 tackles in a standout display in a badly beaten team.

The Titans have already had an injury-ravaged start to the season with fullback Jayden Campbell (patella) and second-rower David Fifita (torn pectoral) yet to play in the NRL.

Campbell returned to action on Saturday in the Queensland Cup with Tweed Heads and could be available for the round four NRL clash with the Dolphins on Saturday at Robina.

Cronulla looks set to be without captain Dale Finucane (concussion), Toby Rudolf (ankle) and Royce Hunt (calf) on top of Briton Nikora (suspended) when they host Canberra on Sunday. 

Braden Hamlin-Uele (knee) is a chance to offset the loss of his forward teammates.

Raiders forward Corey Horsburgh (suspension) will make his first appearance for 2024. 

Roosters five-eighth Luke Keary is set to return on Friday against Penrith after missing last week’s win over Souths due to a head knock with Sandon Smith set to go back to the bench if Sam Walker is ruled out due to his concussion.

The Roosters are contesting the automatic stand-down for Walker by arguing that he did not suffer a severe blow during the thumping win over the Rabbitohs. 

Front-rower Lindsay Collins (hamstring) is likely to miss a week or two.

Panthers prop James Fisher-Harris is unlikely to be back for another couple of weeks due to his shoulder problem.

Canterbury winger Josh Addo-Carr is a chance to return on Good Friday against Souths after missing the past two matches with a shoulder injury he suffered against Parramatta.

Front-rower Poasa Faamausili (concussion) could also be back for the Dogs. 

Warriors fullback Taine Tuaupiki (failed HIA) is under a cloud for their Round 4 home fixture against the Knights in Auckland with Charnze Nicol-Klokstad (hamstring) a maybe after missing the opening rounds. Wayde Egan (elbow) and Dylan Walker (ankle) were late withdrawals before the win over the Raiders.

Dragons forward Jaydn Su’A (thigh) is hopeful of taking on Manly in Wollongong on Saturday night after sitting out the loss to the Cowboys at Kogarah. Front-rower Francis Molo (suspension) and hooker Jacob Liddle (concussion) are also set to boost the pack.

Eels winger Bailey Simonsson (concussion) should be right for their Easter Monday duel with the Tigers.