The clash with Sheffield Eagles was less than a minute old when the second-rower – a new signing for The Wire this year having joined from Leeds Rhinos – was left in a heap on the floor and after the game was stopped for him to receive treatment, he limped gingerly from the field.
Bentley did not reappear thereafter, with Kelepi Tanginoa coming off the bench to play the remainder of the game as Burgess’ side won 34-6 to book their spot in the last 16.
After the game, Burgess confirmed Bentley had suffered a back spasm and as things stand, he faces a battle to be fit for the Round One clash with his former club St Helens next week.
“It was a clunky-looking tackle that compressed his spine,” Burgess told the Warrington Guardian post-match.
“He’s got a bit of a back spasm – they can settle down quickly or they can take a bit of time.
“He’s in a bit of pain actually and isn’t in a good way.
“We’ll see how that unfolds over the next 48 hours but the boys have got a weekend now to recover.”
No further injuries were reported from the game, with another new signing in Albert Hopoate getting through 80 minutes and scoring a try in a successful debut as he played for the first time since March following an ACL injury.
And the squad will become healthier still with several players including winger Matty Ashton (ACL), hooker Sam Powell (shoulder) and props Luke Yates (head) and James Harrison (calf) all set to come into contention while new arrival Toafofoa Sipley will be available again after completing an outstanding four-match suspension from his time in the NRL.
“We’ll have a number of guys to pick from next week – it’s going to be hard to pick a 17,” Burgess said.
“It was tricky this week but I’ve probably got four or five to come back into that. It will certainly be tough from Monday.”