The Newcastle Herald understands Best will have ankle surgery on Wednesday to repair a syndesmosis sprain and is facing 6-8 weeks on the sideline after limping from the field early in the second half of last weekend's loss to South Sydney.

He suffered the injury midway through the first half after getting his leg caught awkwardly under Souths fullback Latrell Mitchell in a tackle. He remained on the field for a further 20 minutes but was forced off just after halftime.

This latest setback continues his wretched run with injuries over the past 18 months with this latest surgery his fourth during that period.

Enari Tuala will fill Best's left centre spot against the Warriors at McDonald Jones Stadium with coach Adam O'Brien also set to name Pearce, Klemmer, Hunt and Ponga for the clash.

Pearce, who hasn't played since rupturing his peck in round 4, will start at halfback alongside Jake Clifford, Hunt will be on the right wing while Klemmer will come off the bench after missing the past two games due to suspension. O'Brien has retained Daniel and Jacob Saifiti as his starting props.

Ponga will be named at fullback but is still no certainty to play with his progress back from a torn groin to be closely monitored for the rest of the week.

O'Brien has resisted the temptation to include teenage English fullback Bailey Hodgson in his extended squad as a back-up if Ponga is ruled out with Tex Hoy set to hold his spot.

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