Fullback Cade Price has been ruled out of the clash with Albury on Sunday after picking up an hamstring injury in the narrow loss to Tumut in round one.

Brothers coach Peter Little wanted to take an cautious approach.

"Cade wanted to push to play this week but I made a call and said no," Little said.

"Especially with the Easter holiday coming up.

"I've had hamstrings before and you think you're ok but we just can't afford it this early on.

"It's only round one and Cade is a big part of the team."

Five-eighth Dylan McLachlan and second rower Ben Schreiber are also in doubt due to hamstring tightness.

A call of their fitness won't be made until closer to game time.

However McLachlan's concern could open the door for the return of Cameron Breust.

Breust made his return following ankle surgery in reserve grade but Little doesn't want to rush him back into the team before he's ready.

"I think Breusty played really well last week in reserve grade and is still coming along and getting back from his injury," Little said.

"I think Dylan will be ok, it is more precautionary than anything."

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Added to their injury worries, James Hay is unavailable for the clash.

He was strong in the middle against the big Blues pack and will be a big loss taking on a Thunder side coming off a draw with premiers Gundagai.

"He's a big loss for us and played 80 minutes with the injuries we had and I don't think there's many front rowers in the game who can play 80," Little said.

"Jimmy is a quiet kid who just gets in there and gets the job done and that's what amazes me about him.

"He always puts his hand up for the team and I don't know how many cart ups he had on the weekend, it was just ridiculous and I don't know how he does it.

"It hurts us big time, but we will have to do our best without him."

Brothers fell two points short of the Blues to start the season and Little was disappointed they left their run too late.

Tumut were able to dominate through the middle and it's something he's looking to correct heading to Greenfield Park to tackle the Thunder coming off the 28-all draw at Anzac Park.

"We had our chances in the end to win that game but didn't make the most of it, and Tumut defended really well," he said. 

"We just have to move on and prepare for Albury."

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