Albury Thunder hit hard by injuries in opening rounds of the Group Nine season

Newcomer Senio Tuala needed a plate inserted into his arm after breaking it in the 24-10 loss to Temora on Saturday.

It comes after front rower Brad Hill had surgery on his hand after round one.

"Senio has broken his arm unfortunately," coach Adrian Purtell said.

"He was a young fella who was going to be given his crack, and was going alright actually, but that's the way our season is going at the moment."

After two heavy losses to start the season, Purtell thought it was an improved performance.

He's hoping they can continue to head in the right direction when they host premiers Gundagai at Greenfield Park on Saturday.

"It was an improved effort for sure and that's all you can ask," Purtell said.

"It was always going to be tough with five of the six of the boys in the forward pack are local and four of them are under 21.

"We had no fresh guys on the bench so it was always going to be a challenge but I think we were improved."

However their lack of depth is a concern.

Numbers weren't overly strong in their return to the competition this season and a couple of serious injuries have only added to the problem.

Purtell also picked up an ankle complaint late in the loss at Nixon Park but is hopeful of getting it right in time to face the Tigers.

He knows the clash is going to be a big challenge.

"We just need to compete," Purtell said.

"It is going to be a challenge as they are a high quality team so we just need to compete for everything."

Harrison Reicher is also a chance of returning after missing last week.

Gundagai come in fresh after the bye following their first win of the season against Temora.

They will be without star hooker James Luff after he suffered serious ankle ligament damage in the 24-12 win.

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