Isaah Yeo suffered a suspected pectoral injury on Friday evening, with Penrith coach Ivan Cleary conceding: “It doesn’t look great.”

Panthers supporters will be hoping scans clear their co-captain of any serious damage after he came from the field late in the first half during the 28-12 loss to the New Zealand Warriors.

Yeo reeled out of a tackle and immediately looked in pain. He is expected to have scans back in Sydney, and most likely Sunday.

The competition leaders scored two tries in three minutes late in the game, and were rightfully denied a third when Liam Martin was ruled off during the kick chase.

But the immediate focus will be on inspirational leader Yeo, whose importance to the premiership favourites is just as important as Nathan Cleary.

A ruptured pec would mean Yeo misses the rest of the season as well as the World Cup for Australia.

At the very least, Yeo is next to no chance to be available for next Thursday’s heavyweight clash against the Sydney Roosters.

Lindsay Smith and Billy Phillips are early contenders to replace Yeo at lock forward.

“Obviously ‘Yeoy’ is a big loss and hard to replace, but that’s how it goes; if that’s the case we’ll have to [move forward without him],” Cleary said.

“You can’t win the game at the start, but you can sort of lose it. We missed the start tonight.”

The Panthers lost Paul Alamoti to the bin for up-ending opposite centre Leka Halasima in the first half, and will be hoping the match review committee takes no action on Saturday morning.

Penrith (shoulder) are likely to welcome back Dylan Edwards next Thursday night, but Casey McLean (hand) and Mitch Kenny (foot/ankle) will not be available until the eve of the finals.

The win put the Warriors just two competition points behind Penrith, with coach Andrew Webster admitting the win would serve as a wonderful confidence boost, and timely reminder “we belong” at the pointy end of the year.

They take on the Broncos and Rabbitohs in the next fortnight, and round out the regular season at home to Newcastle and Manly.

Penrith take on the Roosters, followed by Melbourne, then the Bulldogs and Tigers.

In his first game since April, out-of-favour Warriors half Luke Metcalf scored in the first half, then stepped inside to score his second try to seal the result inside a rocking Go Media Stadium.

A top-two finish for the Warriors would be a huge bonus, with the intimidating atmosphere sure to help when hosting a qualifying final and potentially preliminary final.