Webcke hopeful of early return

Scans have confirmed that Brisbane Broncos prop Shane Webcke suffered a partial tear of the medial ligament in his left knee in Sunday?s loss to Penrith at Penrith Stadium.

Webcke says doctors have told him the injury requires four to six weeks on the sidelines but he's hoping he can be ready for the NRL finals in less than three. He has anointed fellow prop Petero Civoniceva to take the captaincy reins from him with regular skipper Darren Lockyer still at least another week away from returning from a hamstring problem.

The beat-up Broncos also have hooker Barry Berrigan, centres Justin Hodges and Brent Tate, and utility Casey McGuire in extreme doubt for Friday night's match against the Roosters at Suncorp Stadium.