Catalans Dragons have an early-season hooking crisis after scans revealed former Wigan number nine Micky McIlorum has damaged a pectoral muscle.
Dragons coach Steve McNamara says McIlorum, who sustained the injury in Saturday's shock 46-0 home defeat by Salford, does not need surgery but will be sidelined for "a number of weeks".
The Catalans' back-up hooker Alrix Da Costa deputised for McIlorum when he missed the opening game of the Super League season at Castleford with a back problem, but the 21-year-old picked up a rib injury playing for the reserves against Albi last month.
Da Costa was ruled out for three to four weeks with rib cartilage damage but McNamara is hoping he will recover in time for Sunday's game at Hull KR.
Other makeshift options include second rower Ben Garcia, who missed the Salford game with a back injury, and utility back Lucas Albert.
