Canberra Raiders hooker Tom Starling will undergo surgery on a fractured jaw he sustained during the club’s 26-16 loss to the Storm last Thursday night.

The surgery was decided upon after a consultation with the specialist today and he will be sidelined for 4-6 weeks.

The Raiders would likely have to make it past the first week of finals to give Starling a chance of returning, with the club currently in ninth spot with just three matches to go in the home and away season.

Starling has become an important member of the Raiders side over the past two seasons and has given the side a spark coming off the bench this season.

Raiders star five-eighth Jack Wighton said it would be difficult to cover the loss of Starling.

“It really hurts – Tommy’s been one of our better players all year,” he said.

“Every time he comes on something exciting happens so that’s a little bit of a bugger he’s gone out the way he has,” Wighton said.

Co-captain Jarrod Croker is in doubt to play this weekend as he undergoes concussion protocols after failing an HIA against the Storm. However, Croker did train on Tuesday, boosting his chances of playing on Friday.

Forward Corey Harawira-Naera will also need the Raiders to make finals to play again this year after copping a three-match ban for his high shot on Jahrome Hughes.

Canberra take on Manly this Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.