Penrith centre Waqa Blake has been ruled out of Saturday’s NRL semi-final with Canberra due to a shoulder injury.

Waqa picked up the injury in last week’s elimination final win over Canterbury.

Penrith supremo Phil Gould confirmed on Twitter on Saturday afternoon that Blake would miss the GIO Stadium clash later that night.

“I believe so yes,” Gould wrote in response to a fan’s query over whether Blake was out with injury.

Zak Hardaker will likely come into coach Anthony Griffin’s starting 13.

On Friday, it was confirmed by the Raiders that stars Josh Hodgson (ankle) and Blake Austin (hand) had recovered from injury to play.

The winner of the match will play Melbourne in the second preliminary final at AAMI Park on Saturday week.