A groin strain suffered in the first half of the Sharks loss to the Dragons last Saturday night appears likely to rule Sosaia Feki out for this weekend’s crucial clash against Souths.
Feki failed to take any part in the second half of the Sharks local derby match up with the Dragons and subsequent scans have revealed a low grade tear.
While his name is set to be missing when the team is named to play the Rabbitohs later today, Feki and the Sharks medical staff will work hard on his treatment and rehabilitation and are hopeful of having the hard running winger back on deck before the finals begin in less than a months’ time.
Whether Feki will be fit to play in round 25 or round 26 is yet to be determined.
The news on Paul Gallen was somewhat more positive, with the Sharks skipper progressing well in his recovery from the calf strain which saw him pull out of the game against the Dragons during the pre-match warm up.
Gallen spoke with Sharks TV earlier today, explaining he expected to be running by Friday of this week and if everything was to go according to plan to be fit and ready to go on Monday night when his team takes on Souths at ANZ Stadium.
In relation to prop Sam Tagataese, after undergoing minor shoulder surgery it will be a case of wait and see how the recovery process unfolds before declaring when and if he will be available to play again this season.
Tagataese is optimistic about being able to return during the finals, however much will depend on the success of the surgery and how his injury rehabilitation progresses.
As for news on the Sharks extended squad, Jordan Drew has been ruled out for the remainder of 2016 after also requiring shoulder surgery. Drew’s injury was somewhat more serious than that suffered by Tagataese and the young outside back will not return this season.
The Sharks play Souths at ANZ Stadium on Monday night, with the NRL team to be named at 5.00pm today.
