Canberra have taken another hit to their halves with COVID-19 ruling rookie playmaker Brad Schneider out of a homecoming clash against North Queensland.

Already stretched due to Jamal Fogarty’s knee injury, Schneider gave the Raiders another headache on Monday when he tested positive to the virus.

It means coach Ricky Stuart will likely have to turn to either Matt Frawley Sam Williams to partner Jack Wighton in Saturday night’s clash.

Frawley may be the leading candidate after he was in the Raiders’ 19-man squad against Cronulla, while Williams was cut earlier.

The diagnosis comes as a cruel twist for Schneider who impressed in just his second NRL match last week as he helped Canberra to a 24-19 win over Cronulla.

The Adelaide-born product spent the most of his childhood in Townsville, attending renowned rugby league nursery Kirwan State High School.

The majority of his family live in Townsville, and were expecting to be able to see the 21-year-old for the match.

The drama is the latest COVID issue to hit the Raiders, who had to change their team just hours before their first trial of the season when the virus hit their squad.

Fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Jordan Rapana, Williams and Frawley each missed trial matches, while centre Sebastian Kris missed round one through the protocols.

Josh Hodgson and co-captain Jarrod Croker have both joined Fogarty on the sideline in the past week with knee injuries, while Rapana remains suspended.

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