Newcastle's dwindling playing stocks have taken another hit with prop Matt Parsons almost certain to miss the NRL's club's all-important clash with St George Illawarra on Friday night.

Parsons took a heavy knock to his thigh in the shock loss to Manly at the weekend, a defeat that left the Knights on the verge of elimination from finals contention.

The 31-year-old on Monday conceded he was at long odds of turning out against the Dragons.

"Things aren't looking very good for Friday night," Parsons said.

"The fact that it's a short turnaround is bad.

"It covers most of my quad. It's not a real nice one. I have never had one this bad before."

The clash with the Dragons could decide Newcastle's season thanks to their disappointing performance against Manly.

"After yesterday's performance Friday night becomes very tough for us not for just a winning performance, but for having a go," Parsons said.

"It was a pretty poor performance.

"We have four days and it's all between the ears. It's got nothing to do with anything physical. Its more to do with mental (side of things)."

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