FROM SYDNEY..: “It is been a difficult year for injuries,” says the Souths after Cody Walker is out and Latrell Mitchell is still several weeks away from a potential comeback.

South Sydney’s slim finals hopes have taken a major hit with superstar halfback Cody Walker ruled out of Saturday’s must-win game against the Sharks with a calf injury.

The veteran playmaker suffered the injury during last week’s loss in Canberra and will be replaced in the side by Dion Teaupa, who has played just three games for Souths this year.

“He’s not right, he won’t play,” interim coach Ben Hornby said, with Walker leading the team for try assists this season.

“He hurt his calf last week. He tried to give it a go today but it’s just not right, so we’ll give it another week and go from there.

“The physio told me he’s just not right and he doesn’t feel like he can get through the game, so there’s no point putting him in that situation.

“It was his first session today. Dion has been training all week, so I’m happy for him to come in and get his opportunity.”

Walker is expected to return in time for next Thursday’s game against the ladder-leading Storm in Sydney, but their season could be over by then with the Rabbitohs needing to win their remaining fixtures to sneak into the top eight.

Souths have paid the price for a horror start to the year – winning just one of their opening 10 matches – with injuries to key personnel keeping a large chunk of their salary cap on the sideline.

Latrell Mitchell, Cam Murray, Tevita Tatola and Jai Arrow have all suffered long-term injuries, while try-scoring machine Alex Johnston will miss the rest of the season after he ruptured his achilles last week against the Raiders.