Injured Wildcats centre Matt Burston will play against Adelaide on Saturday night but he won't last the season, with Perth already searching for his replacement in a serious blow to its NBL title hopes.

Burston requires reconstructive surgery on his deteriorating right ankle, but has decided to assess the injury on a game-by-game basis.

The 210cm centre still managed 35 points in Perth's win over Townsville on Monday, but coach Scott Fisher admitted Burston will struggle to see out the year.

Perth has surprised many with its 5-2 start this season, but Burston is its only recognised centre.

Current Townsville big man Derek Moore and former Brisbane Bullet Wade Helliwell have already been targeted as possible replacements.

Import Rashad Tucker (knee) will also play against the Sixers (5-2) after missing the past two games.

But Tucker, who has an arthritic-type problem in his right knee, will also play in pain as injuries threaten to derail the Cats' promising season.

As well as some size, Fisher is also now looking for an early return on his unorthodox rotation policy.

Perth's first-year coach often uses his entire roster by quarter-time, with bench players Braith Cox, Liam Rush and Adrian Majstrovich enjoying significant minutes.

They now need to step up to help cover for any limitations on Burston and Tucker.

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