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Nagging shoulder pain could be enough to end developing Gold Coast forward Morgan Boyle's season if surgery on the problem area is recommended this week.

Boyle dislocated his shoulder in the pre-season but has impressed off the bench despite playing through pain in the opening eight rounds.

But with his long-term wellbeing in mind, coach Garth Brennan has pulled him from the squad to play Canberra this Saturday.

The 21-year-old will consult a specialist this week to determine a way forward, with Brennan already tossing up the prospect of losing his young charge for the season.

"Hopefully rehab for a couple of weeks and get him back, otherwise it'll be the season," he said.

"It didn't dislocate (on Saturday), but there's a bit of instability in there ... he played on but it's a bit sore and it's a matter of making sure he's right and his welfare is right."

Brennan speculated that Boyle, the son of former Canberra Raiders enforcer David, was among a number of NRL players in the same boat.

"It's whether you strap it up and get him through the season (or have surgery immediately), but we're not going to risk any issue with his health," Brennan said.

Ryan Simpkins will replace Boyle on the bench, with Moeaki Fotuaika in the 21-man squad and also elevated into the club's 30-man contract list.

Only age restrictions stopped the highly-rated forward's NRL debut for the injury-ravaged side last season.

"He's not far away at all," Brennan said of Fotuaiki.

"He'll likely make the trip to Canberra ... he was a train and trial player, then a development player and now in the top 30.

"I don't want to rush him but I've watched every one of his games in Queensland Cup and he's one of the best front rowers on the park."