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Panthers speedster set to be sidelined

3 minute read

Penrith expect teen sensation Charlie Staines to be sidelined with a hamstring injury after scoring six tries in his first 115 minutes in the NRL.

Penrith concede they'll have to put the Ferrari that is Charlie Staines back in the garage against Canberra after he suffered a minor hamstring injury.

Staines became the first player in 83 years on Saturday night to score six tries in his first two NRL games, before leaving the field early in Penrith's 42-12 flogging of Manly.

Nicknamed the Ferrari for his pace during the pre-season, the 19-year-old will now need scans on his hamstring after he injured it getting his second try for the night.

The Panthers do not expect him to be fit for Saturday night's blockbuster at home against Canberra.

But given his lightening-fast speed off the mark, there's very little doubt that he'll be let loose again at some point this year on Penrith's right wing.

"It is a shame. Pretty good finishes weren't they?" coach Ivan Cleary said.

"We've got a lot of faith in Charlie, he's a good kid and a good future ahead of him.

"He's young and has it all in front of him but unfortunately can't put two games together at the moment.

"He's extremely quick. He's had a couple of those soft tissue things. That's just part of his developing, hopefully it's not too bad."

It comes after Staines was forced to sit out two games for a biosecurity breach for having visitors and going to hospital with lockjaw after scoring four tries on debut against Cronulla last month.

His injury means he has played just 105 minutes in his first-grade career, scoring at the ridiculous rate of one try every 17 minutes.

In turn, Fox Sports Stats said he is the first player since South Sydney's Don Manson in 1937 to reach six career tries in so few games.

On a good night for the Panthers, hooker Api Koroisau got through his return from an elbow injury unscathed.

The former Manly and South Sydney rake left the field late when the game was well in the bag, but Penrith have no cause for concern over their star No.9 who has helped turn around their attack this year.

Koroisau was initially expected to miss up to a month with the initial blow, but made his comeback after only one week sidelined.

"I didn't expect him to be back to be honest but he was pretty keen," Cleary said.

"I definitely wasn't going to risk him but he just presented so well and was pretty adamant that he was fine.

"I wanted to put our best team out there and he is in that."

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