The Maitland Pickers captain and star hooker Alex Langbridge is only a 50/50 chance of playing against his old club Western Suburbs in Saturday's final round encounter at Maitland Sportsground on Saturday.
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Pickers coach Matt Lantry said the club would be taking no risks with Langbridge's finger injury by rushing him back early
"It's a ligament in his figure. He did a dislocation of his finger back in May, and he redid the same finger with a dislocation in late June in the Kurri Kurri game (June 27)," Lantry said.
"With the dislocation it basically tore the tendon in the finger, which affects his passing.
"It's been a long lay-off because the only way to let those injuries heal is through time off to recover and we have given him that time.
"He is quite close and if he is not ready this week he will be definitely be right for the major semi."
Lantry said he had not worries that Langbridge would not be fully fit and game ready when he returns.
"He has a great work ethic, he just looks after himself better than anyone," he said.
"Coming straight back in won't affect him."
Coming off a 16-all draw against Macquarie Scorpions, Lantry admitted the club missed Langbridge's organisation on the ground and defensive effort and example.
"His organisation through the middle third and coming up with the right play more times than not is so important to us," Lantry said.
"Plus I think it's his efforts defensively. He leads our line speed, one minute he is on the left side of the ruck and the next defensive play he is on the right side of the ruck.
"He is chasing down line breaks, it's just the energy he brings in our defensive line consistently for 80 minutes.
"That defensive effort and his organisation are the two things we miss most."
Saturday's Maitland Pickers game is Old Boys Day and John Newcombe Memorial Day.
