Sheens ‘won’t risk’ Lawrence

Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens says he won’t risk star centre Chris Lawrence by playing him in Sunday’s must-win clash with North Queensland.

Lawrence is in doubt after suffering a minor hamstring injury in last Friday’s victory over the New Zealand Warriors.

Sheens has named the Australia international at centre for the match, but will asses his fitness ahead of the game.

“I’ve moved him back to centre so he doesn’t have to work hard on the hamstring by way of efforts during the game,’’ Sheens told the club’s official website.

“I’m hopeful of getting him through but if he is not right, I won’t risk it.”

Sheens wants the Tigers to perform from the kick off.

“We need to start a little faster than we did last week and the week before,’’ Sheens said.

“Both sides got a lead on us. We need to be better than that. We can’t be chasing down 10 and 14 points at half-time.”

The Tigers are set to welcome back skipper Robbie Farah from NSW Origin duty and second rower Chris Heighington from a broken hand

“We have a tough three or four games coming up now where we are playing teams above us,’’ added Sheens.

“It is important for us to regroup from last week, to pull Robbie back in the side, and to get a win at home at Campbelltown.

“We have had a good record against (the Cowboys) the last 2-3 years at home and away. We have got to draw on that and take that confidence and come out and play well ourselves.”