Despite sitting out the entire Downer NRL Auckland Nines with a groin complaint, Warriors star halfback Shaun Johnson is likely to feature in the club's upcoming trials.

 


Assistant coach Steve McNamara confirmed the recovery period – for what the club reported as groin tightness – was expected to be brief and said Johnson is almost certain to play before the start of the 2017 NRL Telstra Premiership season.

"I don't think it's serious, I just think it's one of those where he's tightened up and not been able to release that," McNamara said.

"Hopefully he will be OK for trial one next week, if not then definitely trial two.

"[Johnson] is a proud man, he really likes this tournament and to get out there and show what he can do, and unfortunately he wasn't able to."

The Warriors play the Melbourne Storm on the Sunshine Coast on February 11, before hosting the Gold Coast Titans in Palmerston North on February 19.