MANLY second-rower Anthony Watmough wants to play in tonight's clash with Melbourne, although club officials are far less certain he will make a surprise return less than two weeks after knee surgery.
While Watmough started light training on Wednesday, medical staff are believed to be erring on the side of caution, meaning a return against Souths next week is more likely.
Melbourne similarly expect no late changes, with the squad travelling to Sydney yesterday for the Brookvale Oval clash without an 18th man.
Wests Tigers have lost prop Bryce Gibbs with a hamstring injury before tonight's clash with St George Illawarra at WIN Stadium. Bronson Harrison would be the logical choice to replace him.
Halfback Robbie Farah (ankle) and front-rower Todd Payten (hamstring) both finished yesterday's session and are expected to play.
The Dragons are expected to be 1-17, with 18th man Rangi Chase dropping off the bench.
Brisbane 's Queensland and Australian forward Sam Thaiday was dropped for tomorrow's clash with the Warriors after turning up late for a forwards training session on Wednesday.
The club had already lost his fellow representative teammate Justin Hodges to suspension on Wednesday night. He will be replaced by Joel Moon.
Brisbane could also be without back-rower David Stagg, who remained in Brisbane with his wife due to give birth today. If the new arrival comes on time, Stagg will make a rushed trip across the Tasman, however that would seem unlikely. Isaak Ah Mau is on standby for Stagg.
The Warriors are expected to be as named.
Cronulla have been in camp at Kiama during the week before their match against South Sydney, with coach Ricky Stuart saying yesterday they would be as named. Rabbitohs coach Jason Taylor is yet to decide who he will trim from his five-man bench.
Bulldogs winger Matt Utai has been ruled out of tomorrow night's game against North Queensland due to an ongoing knee problem. He will be replaced by Heka Nanai.
The Cowboys are expected to be as named, with halfback Johnathan Thurston said to be no chance of an early comeback from a knee injury. He has not trained with the side all week.
Penrith halfback Luke Lewis remains in doubt for Sunday's clash with Canberra following his horrific head clash with Steve Matai last Friday. Lewis will have a cognitive test today but coach Matthew Elliott is prepared to give him until game day to prove his fitness.
Frank Pritchard has trained all week through his ongoing shoulder troubles and is expected to play.
Canberra could welcome back Scott Logan a week early from his knee injury. Neville Costigan and Michael Weyman are expected to drop off their bench.
The Eels have suffered a double blow ahead of their clash with the Roosters on Sunday, with Fuifui Moimoi (sternum) and Mark Riddell (knee) ruled out. Riddell is likely to be out for several weeks. Josh Cordoba is likely to start for Moimoi and Junior Paulo to join the bench for Riddell.
Gold Coast coach John Cartwright admitted he selected his side "for the sake of it" on Tuesday, suggesting there could be changes to his squad to face the Knights on Monday night.
Newcastle 's Kurt Gidley remains troubled by a corked thigh, while Matt Hilder has been cleared to return following a broken thumb. In a further boost, Danny Wicks (ankle) hopes to be fit.