A horror injury toll has forced Sydney Roosters coach Ricky Stuart to pitch several youngsters into battle against Brisbane's veteran pack in this week's Good Friday NRL clash.

The Roosters head into the game minus injured skipper Craig Fitzgibbon and Great Britain international Adrian Morley, while back-up forwards Shane Shackleton (shoulder), Nigel Plum (knee) and Adam Shubert (knee) are also nursing ailments on the sideline.

Fitzgibbon is expected to be sidelined for between one to two weeks with ankle ligament damage, while Morley should only miss the one match with a wrist injury.

Into the side come youngsters David Shillington and former South Sydney big man Glenn Hall as the starting props, with debutant Steve Meredith joining Anthony Tupou in the second row.

Former St Helens front rower Mark Edmondson will make his NRL debut off the bench, with the task made to look even more difficult when you consider the Broncos pack boast the likes of current or former internationals Shane Webcke, Petero Civoniceva, Dane Carlaw and Tonie Carroll.

"Playing against such a big pack that Brisbane have got does make it tougher, but it gives a number of young blokes an opportunity now," Stuart said.

"It's a huge disadvantage because forwards are such a big part of your result.

"We've got to rely upon our younger players now, players such as David Shillington are really going to have to stand up."

Still reeling from the shoulder injury sustained by superstar five-eighth Benji Marshall last week, Wests Tigers got some good news with hooker Robbie Farah named to come back from a broken thumb in Sunday's clash against Cronulla.

They will be hoping for another boost on Wednesday when Marshall visits his specialist, who will determine whether the Kiwi international will be sidelined for eight weeks or the season, with winger Daniel Fitzhenry to take his place against the Sharks.

Tigers coach Tim Sheens believes Farah's comeback will go some way towards making up for the loss of Marshall.

"He's a class player, he's as important to our team as the mystical Benji is at six," Sheens said.

"He's a very key member of the side ... he's an important part of our go-forward in our ruck area and our kicking game, so he brings a lot to the game.

"His final test will be his training this week, but he's trained a full session there today and I've named the other two hookers in an extended squad so we'll wait to see what happens."

The Sharks have problems of their own, with skipper Brett Kimmorley ruled out for between four to six weeks with an ankle injury.

Adam Dykes has been named at No.7, with Brett Kearney the new five-eighth.

Penrith have named Craig Gower at halfback for Saturday night's trip to Adelaide to play Melbourne despite the former Panthers skipper only being released from hospital on Monday with a bruised lung.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy has named Steve Turner at fullback and Matt Geyer at five-eighth in place of suspended duo Billy Slater and Scott Hill.

St George Illawarra coach Nathan Brown has resisted the temptation to rush back halfback Mathew Head to first grade, with Head named to play another match in Premier League after making his comeback from a knee reconstruction last week.

Wes Naiqama returns from an ankle injury and will partner Matt Cooper in the centres, while Shaun Timmins will play his first match of the season at lock.

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