SYDNEY Roosters are set to be without skipper Craig Fitzgibbon in Friday night's crucial showdown against Melbourne Storm.
It is a blow that could cost the
NRL club a top-two finish.
Roosters coach Brad Fittler yesterday left Fitzgibbon out of his squad. He has an ankle injury that is expected to sideline him for at least a week.
The news of his likely absence was met with caution by
Storm coach Craig Bellamy.
Bellamy, who has injury concerns of his own, said: "I'd be surprised if he ain't here.
"I know how tough he is and I know he was limping there on Sunday but he finished the game, I think. I'm surprised they haven't named him."
The Olympic Park battle is shaping as a decisive contest for both teams' finals ranking.
Melbourne can - temporarily at least - jump into outright first with a win, while the Roosters, who suffered an upset loss to Parramatta on Sunday, need to beat Storm to keep alive hope of a top-two finish.
A loss would give Brisbane a chance to overhaul the Roosters in the top four in the final month of the season.
Melbourne wingers Steve Turner and Anthony Quinn again failed to train yesterday, although Bellamy believes they will be right to play.
The Roosters will also be without winger Shaun Kenny-Dowall (knee), while hooker Riley Brown has been axed. Former Storm utility James Aubusson will wear the No.9 jersey.
Prop Mark O'Meley (achilles) will make his return from injury.
Bellamy said Storm remained on alert for the Roosters, despite their last-start loss and a five-day turnaround. Melbourne, in comparison, has a seven-day turnaround after
a 16-10 win against Manly on Friday.
"I think they'd fancy their chances, coming down (to Melbourne)," Bellamy said.
"It's a game they've probably had on their calendar for a little while.
"I'm sure they're looking forward to it. The forward pack they've picked this week, they're quite big, so their intention is there."
Quinn yesterday ensured his availability for the Roosters' clash after entering an early guilty plea for a grade-one dangerous throw charge. Wests Tigers prop Todd Payten was slapped with a three-match ban for a dangerous throw charge.
BRISBANE'S Karmichael Hunt has been ruled out of the game against St George Illawarra on Friday, with Wendell Sailor named on a seven-man bench for the Dragons.
WINGER Geoff Daniela was the only man dropped from the Penrith team that crashed to a shocking 74-12 loss to Canberra on the weekend.
NORTH Queensland welcomes back halfback Johnathan Thurston for the clash against struggling Gold Coast.