An injury crisis has forced Harlequins RL boss Brian McDermott back into the transfer market after admitting prop Richard Villasanti was unlikely to play for the club this season.

The 26-year-old Cronulla Sharks forward arrived in the UK in February, but has failed to recover from minor knee surgery after months of intensive rehabilitation.

With Jon Grayshon, Scott Hill and Henry Paul also sidelined, McDermott has brought Joe Mbu, 23, back after a spell with Doncaster Lakers.

Grayshon will be out for at least six weeks after breaking his cheekbone in Saturday's 17-4 triumph at Warrington Wolves, while Hill and Paul are some way off a return.

Louis McCarthy-Scarsbrook, who has been in impressive form all season, is close to a recall, but with slim pickings up front, McDermott is looking for re-enforcements.

"The chances of Richard playing at all for Quins this year are looking very slim," he said.

"He has worked very hard on getting back and I can't fault him on that, but as soon he gets close to playing he breaks down again.

"It is a blow but it isn't as though we have been relying on him.

"The lads have closed ranks and there is enough versatility here to cope.

"It means we are asking a lot of young Louis McCarthy-Scarsbrook, but we are trying to bring one or two players in to help us out."

McDermott's track record with new faces - Villasanti excluded - has been good with Hill, Grayshon, Danny Orr, Chris Melling, Andy Smith and Joe Walsh making the right impact this season.

First-half tries from Matt Gafa, Rob Purdham and Julien Rinaldi set Quins on their way to an impressive victory at the Wolves, which included a second-half shut out.

Purdham added a penalty goal and Paul Sykes a drop goal without reply after the break to seal the points to leave McDermott purring.

"It was probably our bravest performance of the season. We scrambled and chased back like you have never seen," he added.

"It was not pretty defence at times, but it was effective."

Quins face McDermott's old club Bradford Bulls on Sunday after Saturday's win cemented their top-six spot.

Quins have been in great form on the road this season, while they have struggled at the Stoop.

McDermott believes the buzz of playing at Odsal Stadium this weekend could work in their favour.

"Sometimes when we go up north we are playing in front of crowds of up to 16,000 and the players seem to respond to that intense atmosphere," he said.