Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Locke out again this weekend

Updated at 6:09 am on 24 May 2012

The Warriors fullback Kevin Locke has been forced to shelve plans to return from injury for the Auckland Vulcans in the New South Wales Cup this weekend after failing another fitness test.

The 23-year-old has been out of action since injuring his sternum in the opening minutes of the Warriors' NRL match with Melbourne on Anzac Day.

After missing the victories over Brisbane and the Sydney Roosters he was earmarked to return against Wests Tigers last week but was subsequently ruled out after failing a fitness test.

On Tuesday he was named to play for feeder team the Vulcans this weekend, but Locke has again been forced to withdraw.

Warriors head coach Brian McClennan says his star No.1 isn't quite ready.

The first-choice fullback has been sidelined for the majority of the year, also missing matches due to a heavy cork he suffered in his right leg back in March - meaning he's been restricted to just six minutes of football in the last two months.

Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand