Canberra five-eighth Terry Campese is not expected to return until just before the NRL finals after being diagnosed with a grade three tear to his adductor.

Campese's wretched season with injury continued on Tuesday with scans confirming the former Test pivot would be out for between 8-12 weeks.

He was just nine minutes into his return from a nine-month layoff following knee surgery when he injured his leg in Sunday's loss to North Queensland.

Campese joins Josh Dugan and centre Joel Thompson on the sidelines, Dugan out for up to five weeks with an ankle injury which robbed him of a start in the NSW side for next week's second State of Origin clash in Sydney.

Thompson will miss Saturday night's clash with Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium after suffering a groin injury in Sunday's loss to the Cowboys.

Blake Ferguson will move infield from the wing to cover for Ferguson with youngster James Stuart the new man on the flank.

International prop Dave Shillington is expected to make his return from injury after being named on a five-man bench for the trip north.

Shillington has not played since tearing his pectoral muscle in the round eight loss to Wests Tigers.

Veteran halfback Matt Orford is also due to have a scan on his injured groin suffered at training, the out of favour playmaker having been on the outer since being dropped following the Raiders' loss to Manly in round nine.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP