South Sydney say hooker Issac Luke will only spend one week on the sidelines with a knee injury.

Luke will sit out Friday night’s clash with Wests Tigers after suffering a medial ligament injury against New Zealand last week.

Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire said he will miss this week as a precaution and he was expected back against St George Illawarra on Monday week.

Cameron McInnes will deputise for Luke at No.9 against the Tigers, the former Junior Kangaroos captain favoured to take over from his Warriors-bound teammate after solid performances in his eight first grade appearances this year

“Cam will come in, he’s a great player and really improving in how he’s going about things, not just on the field but off the field,” Maguire said.

“He’s a player with a big future ahead. It’s his opportunity to get out and start in the nine.”

The Rabbitohs will also be without talismanic captain Greg Inglis, who is on State of Origin duty, against the Tigers.

His absence will see Alex Johnston move to No.1 and youngster John Olive handed his NRL debut on the wing.

“I look at it more as an opportunity for these younger guys,” Maguire said.

“Every young chap that’s come into our team, whether it’s Aaron Gray, Nathan Brown and many more over this period where we’ve had a few people on the sideline through injury, they’ve actually all stood up.

“So for us it’s really all about those young men growing into the team and showing what they can do.”