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Melbourne won't be able to call upon Jahrome Hughes for the first round if Billy Slater is injured, after the youngster was ruled out for up to six weeks.

Melbourne have lost up-and-coming NRL fullback Jahrome Hughes for up to six weeks due to a shoulder injury.

Hughes dislocated his shoulder in Friday night's pre-season trial loss to North Queensland, and Storm medicos now believe the 23-year-old will miss anywhere between 4-6 weeks with the injury.

The injury comes as a blow to the Storm, given star fullback Billy Slater is no certainty to face Canterbury in round one on Saturday week in Perth.

It's believed Slater is considered around a 90 per cent chance of turning out for what would be his 300th NRL match, after he underwent scans on his reconstructed left shoulder last week.

If Slater and Hughes were to both miss the match, coach Craig Bellamy could be forced to turn to Young Tonumaipea to fill the No.1 jersey in their absence.

Five-eighth Cameron Munster could be considered another option to slip into the custodian role, but it's unlikely the Storm would want to take him out of the halves given they have also lost Cooper Cronk from last season.