Rather than the Sharks NRL team this week it will be the Newtown Jets suffering a minor injury crisis of sorts, with four players set to be unavailable for action for their game against the Illawarra Cutters on Friday night.
The Jets, who suffered a 54-point loss at their last start after two convincing wins in their previous two weeks, ended the game against the Panthers last Saturday with the bare minimum of 13 players after injuries decimated their squad.
As a result this Friday night the Jets will be without Josh Cleeland, Kurt Capewell who failed to finish the Penrith match, as well as Jacob Gagan and Junior Roqica who continue their recovery from hamstring and foot injuries.
Cleeland has an ankle problem, Capewell a knee injury, with both injuries minor and the pair hopeful of missing just one game.
Added to those injuries Newtown contrcted forward Kenny Niko was also assisted from the field last week and has not been named to play on Friday night and former Sharks NYC prop Kurt Dillon remains unavailable after badly breaking a thumb some six weeks ago.
In a positive however classy outside back Jordan Drew returns following two weeks on the sideline, while Matt McIlwrick has been passed fit after coming off after just 15 minutes of the Penrith match on Saturday following a head knock.
As far as the Sharks NRL team is concerned, the news is much better, with Sosaia Feki to make his comeback after missing two games with a groin strain, while Valentine Holmes looks to have overcome the hamstring tightness which forced him from the field during the second half of his teams win over the Warriors.
The Eels match should also see the Sharks four NSW Origin boys strip somewhat fitter, with Paul Gallen, Jack Bird, Andrew Fifita and James Maloney having their training load managed throughout the week to ensure they are fresh and ready to go come 7.30pm on Saturday night.
All four were scheduled to train later tonight in a scrimmage session against the Jets.
The Sharks have named an 18-man squad for the game against the Eels and with all players named likely to be fit and available, a decision on the final team will be delayed until after the Captain’s run on Friday.
