The weary body of Jarrod Croker is battling another ailment with Canberra coach Ricky Stuart revealing the NRL team’s captain has a bulging disc in his spine.

Croker, who underwent stem cell injections in his knee during the off-season in a bid to rejuvenate his 31-year-old body, was a late withdrawal from a NSW Cup match last weekend and won’t play this week as he tries to overcome the back issue.

Having managed just 12 games in 2021 due to shoulder and knee issues, during which there was speculation Croker might medically retire, the latest setback is frustrating for player and coach.

“It’s only hit him in this off-season and it’s something now that we’ve got to overcome,” Stuart said.

“I feel the frustration of Toots.

“He was very eager to get out there and play last week and I feel the disappointment but we’ve just got to get him right.”

Croker’s issue is just one several concerns for Stuart before the Raiders’ visit Townsville to face North Queensland on Saturday.

With Brad Schneider joining recruit Jamal Fogarty (knee) on the sidelines due to COVID-19 isolation protocols, Matt Frawley will be the club’s third halfback in 2022.

Josh Hodgson’s knee injury means Tom Starling starts at hooker while Townsville-native Adrian Trevilyan will make his NRL debut off the bench.

“As a club we’re really in unprecedented waters at the moment,” Stuart said.

“It’s a difficult period because we’re getting a lot of injuries, COVID at the top grades and we’re actually getting a number of injuries down around our lower grades right down to our 19s.

“We’re right down on numbers … we’re actually out there looking for more players and it’s a difficult period so early in the season.”

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