Kearns still seeing double

Melbourne prop Robbie Kearns may be forced to play the remainder of the NRL season with double vision in his left eye.

Kearns is desperate to get back on the park but is still suffering sight problems as a result of the fractured eye socket he suffered in a head clash with Penrith's Shane Rodney in round 17.

The 32-year-old, who had a plastic plate inserted in the socket, visited the specialist on Monday and was told his vision could take up to six months to return to normal.

"The doctor has said there's no long-term damage," said Kearns, who is optimistic he will resume playing in a fortnight, albeit with impaired sight.

"Structurally I can't hurt anything any more.

"He just said `you're going to have to grin and bear it'.

"I just have to get a bit of confidence up, catching balls and doing bits and pieces like that.

"It will come good, it's just a matter of waiting."

The bad news on Kearns couldn't have come at a worse time for Melbourne, which faces the premiership favourite Sydney Roosters at Olympic Park on Sunday without Alex Chan (suspended).

The club is also without hardman Danny Williams, who is awaiting his date at the NRL judiciary.

Williams is expected to receive a lengthy ban for his king-hit on Wests Tigers forward Mark O'Neill when his case resumes next week.

As a result coach Craig Bellamy has been forced to move regular lock Kirk Reynoldson to the front row, with youngster Antonio Kaufusi winning a recall on the bench.

Bearing that in mind, Kearns' experience is vital and he's itching to return to help the club remain within striking distance of the top four.

"I'd like to be playing this week," Kearns said today.

"But it will probably be a couple of weeks now.

"It's a weird sensation.

"People ask me what it's like. It's very hard to explain.

"I'll keep training. When I am confident enough, then I'll put my hand up."

The Roosters game also marks the beginning of a month of football which will determine whether the Storm are legitimate premiership contenders.

Only one of their final five games is at Olympic Park - against the Bulldogs in round 24.

The other four matches are on the road - St George Illawarra at WIN Stadium, Canberra at Canberra Stadium and Cronulla at Toyota Park before a final round meeting with Manly at Brookvale Oval.

If the Storm can win the majority of those games they should be entrenched in the top six and treated as serious title contenders come the finals series.

A series of losses could leave them struggling to retain their place in the top eight.