Warriors prop Sam Rapira could be back on the field in just six weeks after being cleared of a potential season-ending knee ligament injury.

The Kiwi international went down early in the second half of Sunday's 26-24 win over Souths, with the initial prognosis being Rapira would need surgery.

It would have been a devastating blow for the Warriors, who are still without star front rower, Steve Price (heel) this season.

In the meantime young prop Russell Packer looks set to step up as the Auckland-based side's lead bookend, but Rapira won't be too far away.

"His ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) isn't torn as we thought it may have been," said Warriors doctor, John Mayhew.

"Instead he has a dislocated patella. Surgery won't be required and with rehabilitation it's possible he could be back in six weeks."

Five-eighth James Maloney, who was also forced off the field after only 24 minutes on Sunday, has bad bruising to his back.

He was moving more freely on Monday and is rated a chance of being fit to play against Wests Tigers in Friday night's round 12 clash at Campbelltown Stadium.

But with their forwards stocks tested, Rapira has been arguably the Warriors best player this season and coach Ivan Cleary believes he has what it takes to lift as a regular starter.

Cleary has noted a change in Packer's approach over the past couple of weeks and that had translated into his two best performances of the season.

"He's going to become even more important for us now," Cleary said.

"He's still a 20-year-old kid but he's just shown a bit more maturity around the traps and it's obvious in his preparation."

Levin-born Packer already has 35 NRL matches to his name, having made his NRL debut at 18.

Cleary, who has now guided the Warriors to 52 victories, taking him one ahead of Daniel Anderson for the most wins by a coach of the Warriors, praised the effort and determination his undermanned side showed against the Rabbitohs.

"It was tough," he said.

"You lose two guys and two key men as well with half the game to go. It puts a dent in our stocks."

One real positive was seeing skipper Simon Mannering, back after seven weeks out with a hamstring complaint, came through 80 minutes without any problems.

There was also hope that Manu Vatuvei might be able to return to face the Tigers in what would be the giant winger's 100th NRL match.

"He's progressing well at the moment," Cleary said.

"We travel Thursday, so basically he has to be ready by Wednesday. It's a day-by-day thing. It would certainly be nice to have him there."

Injury has restricted Vatuvei to just five appearances, three of which he couldn't go the distance, including his last match, when he hobbled off against the Cowboys with a lower leg problem.

However, he is still the club's top try-scorer, having dotted down six times.

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