Canterbury suspect star back-rower Viliame Kikau has already played more than one full match with a fractured eye socket while also sweating the fitness of halfback Toby Sexton for their sudden-death showdown with Penrith next weekend.
The Bulldogs injury woes have already ruled out skipper Stephen Crichton (syndesmosis) and centre Enari Tuala to a leg fracture, though Bronson Xerri will return from a concussion lay-off against the Panthers.
Canterbury officials believe Kikau first suffered a fractured eye socket against the Sharks – he sported a black eye all of last week – rather than in the early exchanges of last Friday’s clash with Melbourne.
The Fijian enforcer has played through the pain for the past two weeks and is yet to be ruled out of the Panthers clash. The fracture is said to be stable and a matter of pain management for Kikau.
Sexton, meanwhile, is set for further scans on Monday in the hope of ruling out a sternum fracture. The Catalans-bound halfback suffered a knock to his chest against the Storm. His sternum issue adds another headache to Cameron Ciraldo’s playmaking conundrum. Sexton had performed strongly following the injury to Crichton, which opened the door for him to get onto the field.
Ciraldo can either keep Matt Burton and Lachlan Galvin in the halves, or shift Burton to centre for a Sexton-Galvin combination.
Toby Sexton has his sternum injury examined against Melbourne.Credit: Getty Images
Winger Marcelo Montoya (ankle) is a chance to return against the Panthers, a welcome result given the Bulldogs have few options in their backline beyond reserve winger Blake Wilson. Should Sexton be ruled out, out-of-favour hooker Reed Mahoney would come into contention for a bench recall.
Penrith have reported a clean bill of health out of their win over the Warriors, with Nathan Cleary handing goalkicking duties to Dylan Edwards due to a cork he picked up in the second half.
The club holds no concerns about Cleary backing up against Canterbury or being hampered at training throughout the week. Hooker Mitch Kenny is expected to return from a hamstring injury.