Storm coach Craig Bellamy has confirmed superstar halfback Jahrome Hughes is set to miss more than just one match as he battles a hamstring injury that has ruled him out of Saturday’s showdown with the Sea Eagles.

The club confirmed on Tuesday that the 2024 Dally M Medal winner had suffered a low grade hamstring injury, and there were hopes that he would be able to return after next week’s bye.

But that now seems unlikely, with Bears-bound utility Tyran Wishart set to wear the No.7 jersey and fill Hughes’ big boots that have played a key role in turning Melbourne’s season around.

“He’s going to miss a little while,” Bellamy said.

“It’d be nice if it was only a week. We’ve got a bye next week so that helps a little bit, but I think it’ll be a bit longer than that.

“Tyran Wishart gets his chance. He sees himself that his best position is probably halfback. He’s played everywhere for us and done a great job, but he thinks that’s his best position. He’ll get an opportunity, and hopefully he’ll play well.”

Hughes has set up 21 tries this season, including two against the Bulldogs a few weeks ago where Canterbury centre Bronson Xerri had his best game of the year on the left edge.

But Xerri has lost his spot for the second time this season and met with Storm officials on Tuesday after he was granted permission by the blue and whites to negotiate with rival clubs.

Xerri is contracted for 2027 but appears set to join either the Storm or Eels.

“All I can say is that we’d love him to come here if he feels this is the place for him,” Bellamy said, with the Storm dealing with several injuries in the outside backs.

“He’s a really good player, he’s a really good kid and a good bloke, so we’d love to have him at our club.

“At the end of the day, he’s got to make that decision. Hopefully, he’ll make that and come here.”

Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo addressed the situation on Thursday and indicated that a release before the June 30 deadline was highly unlikely, with any decision to be made by Phil Gould.

“That has not been discussed at all,” Ciraldo said.

“Bronson’s a big part of our team. We love having him here and I expect him to play a lot more footy before the end of the year.

“That has been handled between ‘Gus’ (Gould) and his manager. Bronson and I have been focused on just trying to help him find his best footy and we’ll continue to do that.

“We’ve got a really good relationship and I enjoy coaching Bronson. I know his best footy is still ahead of him and we want to find that over the next few weeks.”

The Storm has won five of their past six matches after losing a club record seven on the trot earlier this season and can get within two points of the top eight if they beat their fierce rivals at 4 Pines Park.