Soward out for a month

Boom youngster Jamie Soward will be out for up to a month after injuring his ankle at training yesterday.

Scans received back this morning confirmed the ankle sustained no bone or ligament damage.

Club officials originally feared the ankle was broken after Soward said he had heard a loud snap before going down.

"I was right next to him and heard the snap, so it was a bit worrying," halfback Brett Finch said from Roosters training this morning.

"But it didn't swell up after it happened like a broken ankle would - so that was a good sign."

Close mate Heath L'Estrange said Soward was upbeat after speaking to him last night.

"He was confident it wasn't broken and wasn't feeling too bad," L'Estrange said.

"It's disappointing for 'Sowie', but he's a tough kid and I'm sure he'll bounce back well."

L'Estrange and Premier League halfback Grant Rovelli are in line to replace Soward in Friday night's vital clash against Cronulla.

Ricky Stuart will make a decision on Soward's replacement when he returns from NSW Origin duties tomorrow.