Confirmation Manly back-rower Joel Thompson has a broken arm has been offset somewhat with centre Moses Suli cleared of major ankle damage.
Thompson will undergo surgery on Tuesday after suffering his injury in the Sea Eagles’ 18-14 win over Canberra on Sunday.
Finals-bound Manly are hopeful Thompson will still play again this season despite being ruled out for four to six weeks.
Thompson kept his sense of humour after getting the bad news, suggesting he could play on if he donned an armguard like that made famous by Mal Meninga.
“Unfortunately it’s a broken arm. It won’t stop us at Manly, with quality players coming in – I might have to give big Mal a call to borrow his arm guard,” Thompson tweeted.
The injury was a blow for the former Raiders and Dragons back-rower who has rediscovered some of his best football under Manly coach Des Hasler.
He looks set to re-sign with the Sea Eagles for 2020 despite being linked to English Super League clubs.
Manly were breathing a sigh of relief after Suli was cleared of a possible syndesmosis injury on Monday and he looks set to miss just one game.
Officials are hopeful the centre will only miss Saturday’s blockbuster clash with Melbourne at Lottoland.
The fourth-placed Eagles at least have some back-up.
Hasler said second-rower Curtis Sironen (hamstring) and centre Brad Parker (knee) were “likely” to return ahead of the Storm clash.