General Manager of Football Frank Ponissi has the latest on injured players including young gun Scott Drinkwater and fan favourite Brandon Smith as we head into round nine.
A rising star who looked a certainty to step into the club's vacant fullback position, Drinkwater suffered a cruel injury blow when he tore his right pec during our pre-season trial match against the Cowboys.
Drinky had surgery to repair the ruptured pectoral muscle and is expected to return to the field as soon as later this month.
"Drinky is tracking well," Ponissi said.
"He is expected back somewhere between round 10 (Wests Tigers) and round 12 (bye round)."
Albert Vete injured his shoulder playing for Easts Tigers in the Intrust Super Cup competition in late April and his recovery is also on track.
"Albie just commenced skills training, he will probably be out for another four weeks - he is expected back in late May, early June."
Our round one win over the Broncos should have been a fairytale night for Storm debutant Tom Eisenhuth - who waited more than six years to play his second NRL game - but his return to professional rugby league was marred by another injury setback.
The 26-year-old was hospitalised only a few hours after the final siren and underwent surgery on a fractured larynx sustained during the game.
"Tom has shown plenty of resilience and determination since he joined us and he has bounced back as expected," Ponissi said.
"Tom is expected to start full training next Monday, May 13 and a decision will be made after that about when he will be ready to play."
Brandon Smith was rested last week with a calf strain and is a chance to play against the Eels in Brisbane.
"Brandon is 50/50 for this weekend - we will see how he goes at training this week."
