By James MacSmith
Manly rake Matt Ballin is set to lose his race against the clock to be fit for Saturday's NRL semi-final against Canterbury.
Ballin suffered a fractured leg three weeks ago in Manly's last-gasp round 25 win over Penrith.
Missing out: Matt Ballin.Credit: Getty Images
But after the tough No.9 started running on the injury late last week, he was in line for a shock return against the resurgent Bulldogs.
The injury is in a part of the leg that is not weight bearing, but Sea Eagles coach Geoff Toovey said on Friday it was still troubling the 30-year-old.
However back-up hooker Jayden Hodges is set to play after recovering from a neck injury.
Hodges, the rookie cousin of Brisbane star Justin, was taken to hospital for precautionary X-rays in Manly's qualifying loss to South Sydney last Friday.
But the injury appears to have been just a "burner" in the muscle and Hodges is set to take on the monstrous Bulldogs pack.
"Matt ran a couple of days ago, he pulled up a little sore so he will probably be a long shot, but we are hoping Jayden Hodges will be right to play," Toovey said.
"One of the two will be playing but Matty Ballin would be a bit of a risk.
"For Jayden it was no dramas, there is no injury there in the sense it is showing up on any scans.
"So he pulled up OK, a bit sore and sorry but he should be fine."
Manly will start underdogs against Canterbury, who disposed of Melbourne 28-4 in their elimination final on Sunday.
The Sea Eagles have lost NSW back-rower Anthony Watmough through suspension but Toovey was confident he had the team to do the job.
"We are missing a few key players, our starting back row is out," he said.
"Glenn Stewart has been out for most of the year, Jamie Buhrer has done his cruciate and now Anthony Watmough is suspended, so it has been very tough in that area.
"But the blokes who are in there – Justin Horo and Tommy Symonds – have done a great job, and I'm sure they will tomorrow night."
AAP