EXCLUSIVE: Andrew Johns floats flight ban theory for Tom Trbojevic, 'wouldn't play him' for two taxing trips

Andrew Johns has suggested Manly should limit Tom Trbojevic from playing in certain away games in a bid to prevent further injuries.

The superstar fullback has again had an interrupted start to the season, tweaking his hamstring in round two against the Warriors and sitting out for a week.

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Upon his return in round four, Trbojevic started the game with strapping on his right knee before injuring his left knee and failing to return after half-time.

Sea Eagles officials have since confirmed the 28-year-old will be sidelined for at least the next four weeks in a cruel blow for the injury-plagued marquee man.

Johns was the first person to spot Trbojevic with his knee bandaged on Sunday and admitted it was "hard to watch" the wounded Manly star in action.

"He said he had a funny story for me and I'm still waiting Turbo," Johns said on Wide World of Sports' Immortal Behaviour.

"We don't know how bad it was and we don't know whether it was a stability injury or just a knock. He picked up an injury on the other knee and it was quite hard to watch.

"Previous to that other knee going, he was running pretty freely and you can't question the medical staff - they wouldn't risk Turbo, no way. It was hard to watch when Ethan Bullemor got in the clear and passed to Turbo and he could not run.

"You've got to take it out of their hands - you can't let them decide."

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Trbojevic will be sidelined for clashes against premiership hopes Melbourne, Cronulla and Penrith over the next four weeks, as well as a match against the Dragons.

Once he is cleared to return, Johns has suggested Manly need to take extra care of Trbojevic and floated an idea to help eradicate any soft tissue injuries that he has become prone to during his NRL career.

"I had a theory - if he flies any longer than two hours, I wouldn't play him," Johns said.

"Sitting down is so bad for your hamstrings and lower back and then he tweaked the hammy in Auckland. There's two places, Auckland and Townsville, where I'd be questioning if you take him away.

"He's had a history of soft tissue injuries, but this one is a stability and twist of the knee, so it can't be helped really."