Perth’s annual ‘tennis trek’ road trip looms even tougher this summer, with star import Kristian Doolittle set to remain sidelined for at least the next two games as he works to overcome a groin injury.

Doolittle exited the court just 57 seconds into last round’s loss to Illawarra after pulling up lame while attempting to quell a fast break, and failed to feature in the win over Adelaide two days later.

The Wildcats had been hopeful the second-year import would make a swift return to action, but they will instead have to make do without one of their most important players until at least post-Christmas.

“After further medical evaluation, Kristian Doolittle will be ruled out of the next two to three weeks of NBL25,” the club said in a statement.

“Further updates on his return to play and availability will be updated as necessary.”

Perth have no double-headers across the next three weekends of basketball, with away games looming against Cairns (Saturday), Illawarra (December 22) and Adelaide (December 28) while RAC Arena goes into tennis mode for the United Cup tournament.

Doolittle has been the Wildcats’ most durable and consistent player this season, leading the team in minutes played and rebounds and scoring the second-most points behind Bryce Cotton.

The 27-year-old stepped up when Cotton was absent for virtually six entire games, and has also had a key defensive presence to thrust himself into All-NBL calculations.

“He’s a big part to our team. He kind of keeps us all together,” Wildcats guard Ben Henshall said of Doolittle.

“There’s going to be room for guys to step up and try to fill that role, but we’re hoping we can get him back as soon as possible.”

Perth will be looking to regain starting forward Keanu Pinder for the clash against his former squad in Cairns. Pinder - the team’s third-leading scorer - has missed the past three games through illness.