Worried Eels sweat on fresh Cayless X-rays
http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/worried-eels-sweat-on-fresh-cayless-xrays/2006/08/22/1156012543032.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1
Glenn Jackson
August 23, 2006
THREE days after he was initially cleared of a fractured eye socket, the immediate playing future of Parramatta prop Nathan Cayless is again up in the air, with the skipper today awaiting the results of fresh X-rays which may still confirm a break.
Cayless was initially X-rayed on Sunday night, after being injured in a tackle during the Eels' clash with the Roosters. Those X-rays did not reveal any fractures, but Eels officials decided to have the area checked again amid fears the results may have been unreliable because Cayless's nose was so badly broken. The officials have admitted there are still concerns he suffered a fracture, which could rule him out for the rest of the season, although he would be more likely to return at some stage during the finals.
Cayless was named as prop and skipper yesterday to face Brisbane this Sunday. However, he may be ruled out as early as today when the results of the second batch of X-rays are known. And even if he is cleared of damage to his eye socket, he still faces a battle to be fit for Sunday's game because the nose injury was so severe and he was concussed.
The Eels are still "hopeful" Cayless will be cleared of a fractured eye socket but certainly not confident. The development comes as the club continues to face a drought of front-rowers. If Cayless is ruled out, Josh Cordoba would be the only recognised prop in the entire squad.
The side, on a nine-match winning streak, already has Michael Vella, Aaron Cannings, Adam Peek, Justin Tsoulos and Paul Stringer missing through injury, while Fuifui Moimoi is sidelined by suspension.
With Vella pencilling in his return date as week two of the finals and Moimoi out until the weekend after, the loss of Cayless, even for a short time, would put a serious dent in the Eels' title prospects. The other props are no chance of playing this season.
In their absence, second-rowers Nathan Hindmarsh and Chad Robinson, and even hooker Mark Riddell, have spent time up front.
