HARLEQUINS are waiting to learn whether club captain Rob Purdham faces an extended spell on the sidelines.

The 25-year-old loose forward or centre damaged his shoulder in the latter stages of Sunday's 34-20 Super League defeat to Castleford at the Twickenham Stoop.

He is already a major doubt for Sunday's trip to the Giants when Paul Sykes is also sidelined with a serious kidney injury.

It's not all bad news for the London club, however, with the Quins boosted by the news that Neil Budworth is close to full fitness after a long-term knee injury.

The Wigan-born hooker, began his comeback from a 12-month lay-off with an appearance for the Senior Academy side.

Meanwhile, Wigan's poor start to the season has suffered another blow after New Zealand international prop Iafeta Palea'asina was ruled out for six weeks.

The 24-year-old limped out of Friday's 24-12 home loss to Warrington with what turned out to be a torn calf muscle.

"It is a big blow to us," said coach Ian Millward, whose side have only won one of their first five games.

"He's been our best take-up forward so far. But these things happen and you have to take them in your stride."

* Catalans Dragons forward Alex Chan was flying to England today to appear before a Rugby Football League disciplinary committee.

The 31-year-old Kiwi forward became the first Dragons player to be sent off after he was dismissed for fighting in Saturday's 58-10 home defeat to Leeds Rhinos.