The Warriors have told Blake Green they would reluctantly release him early if he lined up a longer-term deal elsewhere despite facing the prospect of struggling to find 21 fit players if more injuries hit their already decimated roster.
CEO Cameron George confirmed on Wednesday that David Fusitu'a, Ken Maumalo, Agnatius Paasi and King Vuniyayawa would return home on July 27 to reunite with family that by that date, they will not have seen for three months once they complete two weeks of New Zealand-based quarantine.
Coach Todd Payten then said while he personally would be "really hesitant" to release a key player on top of those already unavailable, consideration for Green's future and service to the club would dictate a compassionate release.
George said with the COVID-19 situation escalating in Australia, there is next to no chance that the four departing players or teammate Leivaha Pulu would play again in 2020.
Due to a lack of available flights the quartet will remain on deck for next Saturday's clash with the Roosters, after which the Warriors will be left with a few squad members outside the 21-man contingent named to face Cronulla this week.
The decimated club will "hope and pray" they do not suffer any further injuries that could leave them struggling to name a 21-man squad once those four depart, George said.
"The reality of the five players is that three of them are in the 17 this week and they're big contributors to our performance," George said.
"It's getting tougher and tougher as the year goes on, as other clubs get injuries, to try to find those loan players.
"We're certainly very skinny in a lot of areas in our roster. I just hope and pray that we don't get any more injuries, can bounce through a few games and get a bit of luck for once.
"We've just got to continue to work with the active lists that are out there and see whether we can get the right person to come and help.
"We've got some good young kids [development players] there but we've got to be careful we don't push them into a situation too early in their career."
Green has been mooted as a mid-season recruit for a club such as the Broncos or Sea Eagles who are struggling with their halves depth.
"I'd be hesitant to let him go but I know the club has told him if he was to get a deal longer than his current deal, on the proviso that he has to go now, with the service that he's given the club it would be very hard to stand in his way," Payten said.
Players' Poll: Is there enough talent to expand to 17 teams?
"At the moment, I think he understands the predicament we're in. I'd be really hesitant to see him go."
There was a chance of getting more players in, whether that was via return from injury or further loan players, Payten added.
"There's four or five [loan targets] up there at the moment. We are sourcing some others," he said.
"All the coaches are looking at rosters. There's a lot of clubs going through injury issues at the moment. There are other clubs publicly saying they're willing to help us but privately that hasn't happened to date.
"There's five or six clubs who've been really open and really helpful.
"That list can be as big as we can make it but the other club has to agree to letting that player go and into our system."
2020 players' poll results: Part 2
Taking away the four departing players, that leaves just 22 fit players to pick his side, according to Payten. Adam Keighran and Nathaniel Roache will be close to returning by the time the others fly home.
He was hopeful no further players would seek to leave early.
"I think the guys that are here are committed to seeing out the next 11 weeks or however long there is left," he said.
Payten said he couldn't have imagined a tougher test to start his coaching career but said he had enjoyed the challenge, which he believed would ultimately benefit him and the club.
