Gordon picked up an injury in the club's battle of the swoopers victory at Forbes a couple of weeks ago and initial fears had the 2017 Group 10 player of the year suffering a torn perctoral muscle.

Scans late last week revealed the Cowra gun, who was set to play centre this season and form a deadly edge combination with Warren Williams, has a fracture in his right shoulder and then picked up some muscle damage as well.

He'll miss the first seven games of the 2019 season.

It's a blow for the Magpies but the lightning fast Lee McClintock will likely cover the fullback role and coach Kurt Hancock has said one of his side's strengths leading into 2019 is the depth his squad boasts.

LISTEN: Hear from Cowra coach Kurt Hancock and Ben Gunn ahead of the 2019 Group 10 season:

He says the cold months in the Central West make it near impossible to have a full-strength side each week and the club has moved to shore up its roster with additions like Lewis Dwyer, Claude Gordon and hooker Logan Harris.

"I've thrown numbers around and found 15 to 17 per cent of the squad will be out each week with some form of injury," he said, with that number normally about 10 per cent in other competitions.

"I've mucked around with numbers here and where you need an extra one or two players normally it's closer to three or four out here to keep going and not miss a beat.

"I think we've got that right this year."

Round one of the competition is on April 14 so the Magpies have plenty of time to prepare for their season opener against the Dragons at Glen Willow, Mudgee.

Cowra has played a handful of trials already in 2019, too, defeating Forbes 34-24 before a 48-38 loss to Queabeyan Roos last weekend.

Those games followed the opening round loss to NSW Challenge Cup champions Dubbo CYMS but Hancock's attention is now firmly on his side's Group 10 campaign.

"Whoever gets through winter months here ... I know if you come out of winter in a good spot you're in a good position come semi-finals," he added.