Eels dealt cruel blow as young gun Ryley Smith forced off early in 'serious pain'

Ryley Smith looks set for a stint on the sidelines after he was assisted off the field with a suspected sternum issue early in Parramatta's 36-14 loss to the Warriors.

The Eels hooker was full of energy in the opening minutes of the game, but his time on the field came to a halt after he came out of a brutal tackle with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.

Watene-Zelezniak wasted no time powering forward at the young Eels hooker, who was unable to return to his feet after being floored by the Warriors gun.

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Concern about the fitness of the 23-year-old was immediately signalled by teammates to the club's trainers, with Smith unable to conceal his pain.

"This does not look good," Greg Alexander said in commentary on Fox League.

"He is a tough little bugger, he has been full of energy so far. He is in awful discomfort right now. He is in some serious, serious pain."

Two trainers were needed to assist Smith from the field, with his left arm stabilised on the shoulder of one of the club's staffers. Tallyn da Silva then replaced Smith.

Alexander then noted that this is not the first injury concern Smith has had this season, having suffered a sternum injury in round seven against the Bulldogs. Smith did manage to play through that injury and return a week later to face Manly.

Eels coach Jason Ryles was not worried by Smith's injury when speaking post-match.

"He has a sore sternum, but he will be right," he told reporters.

"I'm not sure (if it's worse than his previous sternum injuries). We will have to wait and see after scans."

The Eels had the upperhand on their visiting rivals at the time of Smith's injury on Saturday afternoon, with Ronald Volkman powering over in the fourth minute.

But the Warriors were quick to capitalise on the late changes the Eels were forced to make in the wake of Smith's injuries, charging over for three consecutive tries.

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Josh Addo-Carr attempted to narrow the margin leading into half time, however, he was denied by the Bunker who confirmed he had been held up in goal by Watene-Zelzniak.

The Warriors only extended their 16-6 led after the half-time break, with Jackson Ford and Alofiana Khan-Pereira firing over the line after Parramatta's Volkman scored a double.

The Eels struggled to stay in the fight for the remainder of the half, with Watene-Zelezniak pipping an intercept to eventually set up a Roger Tuivasa-Sheck try.

Tanah Boyd attempted to seal the result with a two-point field goal but his efforts were charged down. Still, the result fell in favour of the Warriors 36-14.