UPDATE: NEW Penrith captain Matt Moylan faces the prospect of missing the first month of the season after suffering a stress fracture in his back.

In a devastating blow to the Panthers, Moylan — who hasn’t played NRL for almost a year — picked up a back injury during the Canterbury trial, then experienced tightness in the lower back region after last weekend’s final blowout against Parramatta.

With 11 days before the Panthers travel to Canberra to take on the Raiders in round one, Moylan yesterday failed to join the club’s field session on a warm afternoon at the foot of the mountains.

media_camera Panthers captain Matt Moylan is in doubt for round one. Picture Jenny Evans

“He’ll have this week off and we’ll see how he is next week,” coach Anthony Griffin told The Daily Telegraph.

“He’s probably in a little bit of doubt, but we’ll be cautious with him, and make sure we look after him at this stage of the year.

“If he’s fit he’ll play, we just have to make sure we make the right decision for him and the team. It’s not a major issue. We’ll worry about it more next week.’’

Griffin had given no thought to who would take over the captaincy — or slot into Moylan’s No.1 jumper. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Peta Hiku or Will Smith would all be contenders.

Moylan could miss the Raiders game, as well as the Panthers’ first two home matches against Canterbury and Brisbane and their round-four clash with St George Illawarra.

That would hamper the 24-year-old’s chances of breaking into the NSW State of Origin side this year.

media_camera The Panthers will be cautious with Matt Moylan.

There is little doubt Moylan would come under scrutiny from NSW selectors this year if fit and in form.

Removing Josh Dugan from the NSW fullback spot though for this year’s State of Origin series may be difficult though, even if he plays in the centres for the Dragons this season.

Dugan was among the NSW’s best in last year’s 2-1 series loss.