Canterbury have suffered two injury blows before a ball has even been kicked this NRL season, with new recruits Dene Halatau and Corey Payne to be sidelined for lengthy periods.

Backrower Payne is likely to require surgery and could be gone for the season after rupturing his left shoulder in last week's trial match against St George Illawarra.

New Zealand international Halatau picked up an ankle problem after being kicked against the Dragons, and is expected to miss the first two months of the competition.

Bulldogs assistant Terry Lamb said it was a terrible shame for both players, who were looking for new opportunities after joining from the Wests Tigers.

"They trained well, put in three or four months of hard training and get put out," Lamb said.

"But they'll be back, that's important for us.

"That's important for the future."

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