Robbie Farah will miss four to six weeks with

ROBBIE Farah has torn cartilage in his knee and will miss four to six weeks of action, ruling him out of the early part of the Tigers NRL campaign.

Tigers Robbie Farah in action during the Wests Tigers v Cronulla Sharks pre season trial game at Campbelltown Stadium , Campbelltown. Pic Jenny Evans

THE Tigers will be without former skipper Robbie Farah for the next four to six weeks with the veteran hooker suffering a knee cartilage injury.

There were initial fears that the injury, sustained in the 30-all trial stalemate with Cronulla last Saturday, would rule Farah out for the entire season.

However, scans confirmed that the 32-year old would only require an arthroscope.

“Robbie has had the scans and it’s showed a cartilage tear in the outside of the knee,” said Tigers physio Peter Moussa.

“He’s seeing the specialist and will have the arthroscope today.

“He’ll probably be out for about 4-6 weeks.”

The joint venture’s hooking stocks have been rapidly depleted with the injury to Farah given that fellow veteran Matt Ballin was already sidelined until Round 10 with a knee injury.

Youngster Mania Cherrington could be forced into the starting line up while Dene Halatau, who has also been hampered by a knee injury, is considered a chance to play in the season opener against the Warriors.

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Hard-hitting backrower Joel Edwards could also be fit for the match but new recruit Justin Hunt will be sidelined with a back injury, opening the door for former Titans and Hull FC utility Jordan Rankin to make his NRL return.

Originally published as Robbie Farah will miss four to six weeks with