The Canberra Raiders will consider handing boom youngster Jack Wighton his NRL debut if winger Reece Robinson is ruled out of Saturday's match with the Gold Coast Titans with a cheekbone injury.
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Robinson will have scans today to determine the extent of damage suffered in the season-opening 24-19 loss to the Gold Coast Titans at Canberra Stadium.
If the impressive flyer is sidelined, Raiders coach David Furner will cast an eye over the Raiders' Toyota Cup game and the match involving NSW Cup feeder club Mounties before making his decision.
Wighton backed up a strong pre-season with the Raiders NRL squad with a starring role in the club's 16-10 under-20s win against the Storm, while Dimitri Pelo is in the running after a solid effort for Mounties.
Another option is shifting Jarrod Croker to the wing, with interchange forward Joel Thompson being elevated from the bench to take his place in the centres.
While predominantly a five-eighth or a centre, Wighton spent enough time on the wing during the summer to give Furner the confidence the 19-year-old could do the job if called upon.
''He's more of a centre, but he's trained a lot of opposed on the wing so he's been on that position before,'' Furner said. ''He brings a lot of aggression to the side.
''I'll have a look at the three games [NRL, Toyota Cup and NSW Cup], but first and foremost we need to see where Reecey is.''
Wighton turned heads with his devastating running and willingness to throw himself into every tackle in last month's trial against the Melbourne Storm in Albury.
''I think Jacko went straight through the Melbourne pack on one of his runs, so that's pretty handy for an outside back,'' Furner said.
''He was very strong for the 20s [but] I'll have also a look at the Mounties.''
If Wighton gets the nod, the Orange product will be the latest in a long line of teenagers the Raiders have blooded in first grade.
Croker was 18 when he debuted in 2009, while in the same season NSW fullback Josh Dugan burst on to the scene one month shy of his 19th birthday.
Dugan had no doubt Wighton was physically and mentally prepared for the NRL.
''I think he's definitely ready for first grade if given the chance,'' Dugan said. ''If you're good enough, you're ready. You don't even need confidence in your teammates, they're all putting confidence in you, which builds you up. You get called up for a reason and that's the best thing that anyone can remember.''
