Nikorima recommits as AFB aims for early return after dodging surgery

Warriors five-eighth Kodi Nikorima has taken up his 2022 option to stay at the club as marquee prop Addin Fonua-Blake aims to return from injury up to two months earlier than expected.

Nikorima confirmed on Friday that he would enact his player option for next season, with recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan declaring his "decision to stay will give our playmakers some stability as they forge new combinations".

Nikorima's recommitment comes after a discreet approach by the management of former Warriors half Shaun Johnson about a potential return to the Kiwi club, as well as the signing of Reece Walsh as Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's long-term replacement.

"I love being at this club and I feel I’ve improved my play in my time here," Nikorima said in a club statement.

"I look forward to being a senior player and helping our team improve and challenge the top teams. Now my immediate future is settled I look forward to playing my best footy."

Fonua-Blake meanwhile has avoided surgery on a fractured tibia and ligament damage in his knee suffered in round 4, and is now looking to potentially halve what was at first feared to be a four-month injury.

The prospect of Fonua-Blake getting back on the paddock in the next month would be welcomed to no end by the Warriors, who have already been without Chanel Harris-Tavita, Euan Aitken, Peta Hiku and Paul Turner for extended periods this season.

The club remains circumspect about Fonua-Blake's return date given the load management and recovery still required for the injury that was originally thought to rule him out until August.

Warriors medical staff are still of the opinion he will be out "indefinitely," most likely the majority of 2021.

But after a second consultation the 25-year-old Tongan powerhouse is aiming to halve his lay-off time, and potentially return by round 12.

"It's going well," Fonua-Blake told Sky's Warriors TV.

"It's actually a lot better than what we first thought.

"I was told at first that I'd have to go for surgery but we got a second opinion and the second surgeon said that we should just do rehab and a lot of weights and a lot of treatment.

"So we've gone down that path and obviously we've missed the surgery so recovery time is a lot shorter … hopefully I'll be back within a month."

Fonua-Blake and his family have remained in camp with the Warriors in Terrigal since he went down in round four against the Roosters, with a fracture at the top of his leg and damage to his posterior cruciate ligament (PCL).

Across the opening month of 2021, Fonua-Blake lived up to his lucrative price tag and billing as an elite NRL front-rower with impressive performances after shifting to the Warriors from Manly.

The club welcomes back Tohu Harris (concussion) and David Fusitu'a (hamstring) from injury against North Queensland on Sunday.

Harris said the return of Fonua-Blake would be a boost for the Warriors.

"Over the next few weeks we start to get a few players back and the sooner he can get back the better it is for our team," Harris said.

"He provides a lot of go forward for us and with the backs that we have and the ability we have got everyone will benefit from that."