South Sydney forward Michael Crocker believes last year’s injury crisis has the NRL club primed to deal with the loss of two of their biggest weapons.

Prop Roy Asotasi (ruptured pectoral muscle) isn’t expected back until close to the finals and has joined fellow-captain and forward Sam Burgess (knee) on the sidelines, with the Englishman likely to be sidelined for six to eight weeks.

Burgess and Asotasi spent a significant portion of last season on the sidelines along with a number of the Rabbitohs’ other forwards.

“We’ve been in this position before,” said co-captain Crocker.

“Last year the players that came in did a wonderful job and we’re confident with the guys that are going to come in again this year.

“We lost some big names, we still put ourselves in a position to win games, so anybody that comes in, we know that they’ve all done the hard work.

“It’s obviously helped us last year having the young boys come in and get that experience, so they will be better for it this year.”

Crocker expressed confidence in Asotasi’s replacement, Dave Tyrell, who will make his 50th NRL appearance this weekend against the Warriors.

“He’s only little but he works hard, the impact he’s had off the bench for us has been great this year,” Crocker said of Tyrell.

“He’s really direct with his runs and that’s all we need from a front-rower, to get in there and do their job and make their tackles.”