Canberra Raiders captain Elliott Whitehead is in doubt for Sunday’s NRL clash with the Penrith Panthers after needing emergency surgery following a sickening head clash in training.

Whitehead had plastic surgery on his mouth and a teeth realignment after the heavy impact with teammate Ata Moriata on Tuesday.

The Raiders will make a call on the 32-year-old’s availability after their captain’s run on Saturday morning, but say he is in doubt for the trip to Penrith.

Canberra halfback Brad Schneider said the players could immediately tell it was a serious incident.

But teammate Jack Wighton said it showed the captain’s toughness.

“It was a pretty crazy cut that he got and he’s missing teeth but he’s a tough guy, the first thing he’s done was jump up and check on the guy he’d had the head clash with,” he said.

“He’s a very tough character and he’ll do everything he can to play.”

They could do with all the help they can get with the 2-4 Raiders long odds to upset the surging Panthers, particularly at a venue the premiers haven’t lost at since 2019.

It is another brutal blow for Canberra, with key cogs Josh Hodgson and Jamal Fogarty already missing with knee injuries.

Forward Hudson Young played 80 minutes and scored a try in NSW Cup at the weekend after missing previous NRL action with a toe injury, and would appear the likely candidate to fill in for Whitehead after being named at No.18.