Daniel Tupou will return from a dislocated shoulder before the end of the season, but the latest injury looks set to deny him a chance to overtake Jared Waerea-Hargreaves as the most-capped player in Sydney Roosters’ history.

Tupou was forced from the field early in the second half against Newcastle on Friday evening and did not want a fuss made about his shoulder when teammates quickly gathered around him on the field.

The 35-year-old is expected to avoid surgery and opt for rehabilitation and strength work before returning on the eve of the finals.

Tupou has played 302 games for the Roosters, which puts him third on the all-time list with Anthony Minichiello, also 302 games, and only behind Mitch Aubusson (306 games) and Waerea-Hargreaves (310 games).

The fact the Roosters have six remaining regular-season games, and are a good chance of pushing deep into September – playing three or even four games – would have meant Tupou had a chance to rewrite club history.

The Roosters are happy to accommodate Tupou next year, but he remains unsure about playing on.

Roosters captain James Tedesco said it would have been nice to for Tupou to set a new mark, but was relieved the towering winger would be back this campaign.

“The other night he laid on the floor and said, with no emotion, ‘My shoulder’s out’,” Tedesco said of Tupou.

“That was it. We all went up to him, but he was his usual calm self. They popped it back in, he was still out there, and I started to think he was going to keep playing, but they took him off.

“They’ll get him into rehab and try to free it up as much as possible.

“The fact he has still played 300 games for the Roosters is the most important feat. He’s up there with some legends of this club and the game.

“He’ll be back and play an important role for us in the back end of the year.

“We’ll miss his carries and [ability] under the high ball, everything that makes him a great player, but the good thing is we’ve got depth in this squad.

“Players get older and you expect a bit of a dip [in form], but that’s not the case with ‘Toops’ – he goes about his business with no fuss and we have so much confidence and belief when he’s out there.”

While Tupou is undecided about extending his career into next season, Hugo Savala’s future has been finalised. The utility has agreed to remain at the Roosters until the end of 2028.

Savala is expected to move from the bench into the centres for Thursday’s trip to Townsville, with Billy Smith the likely wing replacement for Tupou.