Lyon may be thrown to the Dragons
HE MIGHT have been ruled out of State of Origin III next Wednesday night, but that might not stop the centre playing for Manly three days earlier.
Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler said Lyon would be given every chance to play in what shapes as one of the most important matches of the season for the in-form but depleted side.
The Sea Eagles have won four consecutive matches, and on Sunday face St George Illawarra, who will be without a host of players, who are either injured or on representative duties.
Manly have been hard hit by Origin selectors themselves, losing four players to the NSW squad, but might receive a surprise boost with Lyon, who was ruled out of the final match of the interstate series on Tuesday after scans revealed he had suffered a high ankle sprain in Monday night's brutal clash with the Bulldogs.
Lyon, who suffered a similar injury in round 13 against the Roosters and missed one club match, will be examined by club doctor Paul Bloomfield today.
Bloomfield said yesterday: "He's aggravated it again and it's a bit sore, so we'll have to wait and see how it settles during the week."
The Sea Eagles have been gathering significant momentum, moving up to sixth place. But they are in a congested area of the NRL ladder and, knowing how crucial Lyon is to his side, especially without so many experienced players, Hasler will be keen for his star to play even if he is likely to be unable to train for most - if not all - of the lead-up to the match.
"If he's fit then we're going to give him every chance," Hasler said. "Without pre-empting anything, he's eligible to play
[but] I'll leave that entirely in the hands of our medical staff."
