WITH Friday night's City-Country match in mind, most NRL sides have named enlarged benches for this weekend's truncated round, which begins on Saturday afternoon when the Knights host the table-topping Titans.

Although he has no players in the first representative fixture of the season, Warriors coach Ivan Cleary, however, has little chance to opt for a bigger bench. Ravaged by injury, the club is down to 17 fit players, with prop Ruben Wiki and second-rower Sonny Fai the last to fall.

Also unavailable are Steve Price (hamstring), fullback Wade McKinnon (knee), centre Jerome Ropati (hamstring), wingers Manu Vatuvei (leg) and Patrick Ah Van (neck) and prop Herman Retzlaff (hand). Russell Packer, an 18-year-old prop from whom big things are expected, will make his NRL debut off the bench.

With Price and Wiki both out, lock Micheal Luck will captain the side. Aiden Kirk returns on the wing, for only his second NRL match, in place of Vatuvei.

"We had a great run with injuries last year but it's obviously our turn for a change of luck now," said Cleary. "Now we just have to dig that little bit deeper against Canberra on Sunday."

Out for the season is the Broncos' Steve Michaels, injured in a Nigel Vagana tackle as Brisbane beat Souths last Friday. His place in the centres has gone to Joel Moon, while Derrick Watkins, a former Cowboy, is on an 18-man bench with young prop Dave Taylor. One will drop off for the match against Wests Tigers, who have named an eight-man bench for the match.

Already missing five-eighth Benji Marshall, the Tigers will sweat on fullback Brett Hodgson and form forwards Bryce Gibbs (City) and Chris Heighington (Country) backing up.

The Knights have two players backing up from the representative fixture. Kurt Gidley has been named at fullback after playing halfback in the 34-20 victory over the Roosters in round six. Hooker Danny Buderus will lead Country and hopes to back up against the Titans. The Knights have Junior Sau and Adam MacDougall on a 19-man bench.

Weighing down the Titans is a 21-man squad, with Brett Delaney, Anthony Laffranchi and Mark Minichiello playing on Friday night.