Cleary counts cost after Penrith loses to Tigers

PENRITH Panthers coach Ivan Cleary will look for a new five-eighth after Lachlan Coote was injured in his team's 28-18 loss to the Wests Tigers.

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PENRITH Panthers coach Ivan Cleary will be forced to look for a new five-eighth after Lachlan Coote was injured in his team's 28-18 loss to the Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Coote injured his pectoral muscle early in the match, forcing hooker and captain Kevin Kingston to play at five-eighth, with James Segeyaro at hooker.

"It definitely affected our attack today (losing Coote), but we never came here wanting to allow the Tigers to score that many points," Cleary said.

"I always get a bit nervous about early reports but it's (Coote's pectoral muscle) not ruptured, so that's a good sign.

"If he can miss surgery that's only six weeks."

Cleary said he would weigh up his options to fill the No.6 jumper, with the likes of Tom Humble, Blake Austin and former Warriors playmaker Isaac John in the frame.