HULL KR coach Craig Sandercock has warned fans not to expect miracles from Travis Burns when he makes his long-awaited debut this Sunday.
The former NRL stand-off will finally make his first start against Warrington after sitting out the final four matches of suspension from his time with Penrith Panthers.
"Travis will come straight into the side. He is a big player for us as he was our big signing in the off season," Sandercock said.
"He is a class player, but in saying that, he hasn't played a game since July.
"It would be wrong of me, the club or our supporters to expect too much from Travis against Warrington.
"Travis is fit,but you can't replace match fitness and game situations.
"But it won't take him long to get up to speed.
"Probably two or three weeks is all it will take for him to be at his very best."
Having joined the club before the new year, Burns has had plenty of time to accustom himself to Rovers' plays and structures.
He is widely expected to slot in at stand-off alongside captain Michael Dobson in the half-backs, although Sandercock is not yet confirming his role.
Whatever position he takes, Rovers will look to him for leadership given his top-level experience in the NRL.
It comes as Sandercock has warned his players they can't afford to get blown away by Warrington in the opening minutes, when they meet at MS3 Craven Park on Sunday.
Tony Smith's beaten Grand Finalists have made starting games fast a feature of their play, scoring five tries in the opening 10 minutes of games this season, conceding just one.
Sandercock knows his side cannot afford to give the Wolves an early lead, otherwise it could turn out to be a long afternoon for the under-pressure Aussie.
However, he admits keeping Warrington quiet for 80 minutes is nigh on impossible.
"It's important to start every game well," Sandercock said.
"You don't want to be chasing points against a side like Warrington.
"We just want to be competitive and do the best we can.
"If they score first then we'll have to dust ourselves off, roll our sleeves up and get on with it and stay in the game."
