Veteran Warriors forward Micheal Luck is in the frame to return to the NRL this week, but teammates James Maloney and Ben Matulino are both facing time on the sidelines.

While Luck worked through his comeback appearance well in the NSW Cup last Saturday, five-eighth Maloney (knee) and prop Matulino (pectoral) picked up injuries in Sunday’s 45-4 loss to Cronulla at Mount Smart Stadium.

Warriors’ coach Brian McClennan is resigned to losing the duo for Saturday’s round-23 clash with North Queensland in Townsville.

Maloney lasted only 16 minutes into the Cronulla encounter before leaving the field with an injured left knee.

Team doctor John Mayhew says scans have confirmed a medial ligament strain which will keep the No.6 out for one to two weeks.

Matulino, in exceptional form this season, was diagnosed with a pectoral problem on his left side.

Mayhew says scans have revealed a small tear and, although surgery is not required, Matulino is expected to be out for three or four weeks.

That means he could miss the rest of the regular season with only four games left against the Cowboys (away), Penrith (home), St George Illawarra (away) and Canberra (home).

Luck, however, will be available again after testing his left shoulder playing for the Auckland Vulcans against Wentworthville in the NSW Cup on Saturday.

He played the full 80 minutes, emerging unscathed from the hitout.

Captain Simon Mannering has missed the Warriors’ past two games with an ankle sprain and remains in doubt for the trip to Townsville.