HULL KR coach Craig Sandercock is confident Kris Welham's replacement will "step up and get the job done" during the centre's absence.
X-rays have confirmed Welham suffered a broken hand in Sunday's 28-18 derby win over Hull FC at the KC Stadium.
He will definitely miss the season opener against Catalan, with KR refusing to say how long the centre will be out for.
Ironically, this latest injury rules Welham out of the fixture that saw him break his ankle in a freak accident at MS3 Craven Park last June.
Welham's injury means he will join fellow centre Sean Gleeson, prop Ryan O'Hara and new stand-off Travis Burns on the sidelines for the curtain raiser.
"It's hard to pinpoint exactly how long Kris will be out for," Sandercock said.
"But our medical staff, as they do with every injury, will be working overtime to get him fit and well again as soon as possible.
"It's obviously very disappointing for the team and for Kris.
"He'd worked so hard during the off-season to get himself back to full fitness.
"Any time that you lose a player of Kris' quality it's going to hurt you.
"But I'm confident that somebody else will step into that role and get the job done."
With Welham and Gleeson both injured for the Dragons' game, Sandercock has a selection headache at centre.
Liam Salter is certain to start at right centre after impressive run-outs in the pre-season friendlies.
Experienced utility man Graeme Horne has the ability to play on the left after 14 starts at centre last year.
Sam Latus could come into the equation as could Chris Heil, who has two Super League starts to his name, but inexperience could count against him.
