The Raiders will contest a grade two dangerous throw charge against Wighton, which threatens to sideline the 19-year-old for up to three games.

Such is the desperation of the Raiders to give the exciting prospect a shot at the NRL, Canberra coach David Furner will accompany Wighton to tonight's under-20s hearing to argue a case on his behalf.

Furner said he was confident that Wighton had the composure to handle the pressure of the week if he was free to play.

''If he gets the nod to play first grade he'll be excited,'' Furner said. ''Hopefully the kid gets a debut.

''I think that's our strongest possible option there, if that doesn't happen we've also got Dimitri Pelo in that position as well.''

Wighton was yesterday named to replace winger Reece Robinson, who may now avoid surgery on his fractured cheekbone and return within four weeks.

NSW Origin prop Tom Learoyd-Lahrs is the other casualty from round one, Brett White moving into the starting team and Trevor Thurling to the bench.

Learoyd-Lahrs revealed he was almost a late withdrawal from round one after suffering a recurrence of a foot sprain during the warm-up.

''I tried to do a fast sprint in the warm-up to make sure it was right to go and I actually strained it a little bit,'' Learoyd-Lahrs said.

''I just didn't feel confident throughout the game, I didn't feel like I could push off it or change directions quickly. I was about 80 per cent throughout the game.

''A week's rest might do it the world of good to get it 100 per cent right.''