Molo to debut for Dolphins after double injury blow

Dolphins prop Francis Molo (second right) will make his club debut against Canberra. (Redcliffe Dolphins/AAP PHOTOS)

The Dolphins will give new signing Francis Molo a club debut, but will be without key forwards Felise Kaufusi and Jeremy Marshall-King for the away trip to Canberra.

There was better news on versatile forward Max Plath, who suffered a foot ligament injury in the 42-22 win over Melbourne on Friday night.

Plath has been named at hooker against the Raiders on Sunday and is rated a good chance of playing

Prop forward Kaufusi, who sustained a medial ligament strain against the Storm, may only miss one week.

Dolphins forward Felise Kaufusi is out of the away clash against Canberra with a knee injury. (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS)

The injury to Kaufusi has opened the door for former St George Illawarra prop Molo to start at prop in his club debut.

Molo has been playing for CQ Capras in the Queensland Cup, but is set for his first NRL match of the season.

Hooker Marshall-King has not scrubbed up after a nasty gash to his thigh in the round-six win over Penrith got infected.

"We really want to make sure Jeremy's cut heals properly before he does anything, so the best way to look after him is to give him another week's break," Dolphins performance chief Jeremy Hickmans said.

"Felise is in a brace at this point, but if all goes according to plan he could play against the Roosters (in round nine).

"Plath has a foot ligament injury, but with some luck and the long turnaround into the game, he could take the field against the Raiders."

Molo,  who played for Queensland in 2021 and has played 138 NRL games, will give the Dolphins much-needed grunt up front. 

"I grew up playing with Franky when he was 12," Dolphins playmaker Kodi Nikorima said.

"He brings a lot of aggression, which we will need in our pack after losing Felise. For him it is about doing his job, running hard and tackling hard. He is handy to have."

Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf has coached Molo previously at Brisbane and the Townsville Blackhawks and said he was ready to rip and tear.

"I love the way he is looking," Woolf said.

"He has come in with a hunger and a smile. You can see he is enjoying our group and enjoying being back in Queensland. He has got a presence around the group as well."