Penrith look set to lose captain Matt Moylan for Friday night's crucial NRL clash with the Warriors.

Moylan is battling a niggling hamstring injury and it's understood he will be replaced in the side by 21-year-old livewire Tyrone May.

The loss of Moylan will be a huge blow to the Panthers given their precarious position on the NRL ladder.

They sit ninth, four points out of the top eight and only ahead of the Warriors on for and against.

The loser of the Mt Smart Stadium clash will likely need to win five of their last seven to have any hope of making the finals.

Moylan has scored three tries and had four assists in five matches since shifting to the No.6 jersey from fullback earlier this year.

Meanwhile, his replacement May represented the Junior Kangaroos last season and has been playing five-eighth for the third-placed Panthers in reserve grade.

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