Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad injury blow opens door for Caleb Aekins

He adds it is the perfect opportunity for the former Penrith fullback to establish his NRL career.

Nicoll-Klokstad will have season-ending surgery on his neck on Tuesday, although there's a small chance he could return in rounds 24-25.

It means Aekins, who signed a one-year deal when he moved to Canberra, has the chance to set up his future, with his management looking to begin talks about exactly that in the coming weeks.

Nicoll-Klokstad initially hoped he might be able to return in time to face the Sydney Roosters at Gosford on Saturday.

But scans on Thursday revealed he'd need surgery, effectively ruling him for the season.

"It's huge. They're obviously struggling a little bit at the moment. He's just a consistent, solid player every week and that's what you need when you're doing it tough," Schifcofske, a former fullback, said.

"He'll be missed mate. They would've been looking forward to hopefully having him back.

"[Aekins is] a handy player. He's a little bit like Nicoll-Klokstad isn't he, he's more of a running type player.

"But it's hard at fullback when the team's not doing well, you've just got to do your best.

"He's a good player, he's a really good player, the kid ... so he's not going to let them down.

"There's no better chance [to earn a contract]. It's a terrific opportunity for the kid. He's going to get regular minutes and regular game time so that's pretty handy."

MORE RAIDERS NEWS

The Raiders could also be without hooker Tom Starling, who might miss one or two games with an ankle injury he suffered in the loss to the Melbourne Storm.

He strapped it and was able to play 70 minutes, before being substituted to allow Brad Schneider to make his debut, but it will depend how his ankle pulls up this week as to whether he'll be fit to face the Roosters.

The Raiders will welcome back Jack Wighton and Josh Hodgson from suspension, while Joe Tapine (knee) and Jordan Rapana (hamstring) could return - although they might take the cautious approach and rest them until after the bye.

From a Canberra perspective, there was positive news from the NRL match review committee with Raiders prop Corey Horsburgh cleared of a high-contact report plus the Roosters were hit hard.

Raiders co-captain Elliott Whitehead was charged with tripping Storm fullback Nicho Hynes, who was chasing his own grubber kick in the 42^nd minute.

Whitehead can escape with a $1150 fine for an early guilty plea.

Roosters lock Victor Radley faces two charges - one for dangerous contact with Brisbane five-eighth Albert Kelly and the other for a grade-two careless high tackle on Tevita Pangai jnr.

He could miss up to six weeks if he fights both charges and loses - although that would be reduced to four if he enters early guilty pleas.

That would rule him out of not only the Raiders game, but potentially the opening two games of State of Origin as well.

The Roosters were also set to lose Origin forward Angus Crichton who's facing a grade-one dangerous contact charge on Kelly and a two-game suspension - also potentially ruling him out of the NSW Blues side.

NRL ROUND 12

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Sydney Roosters at Gosford, 7.35pm.