Queensland backrower Chris Flannery is battling to overcome a calf injury for the Sydney Roosters' must-win NRL showdown against St George Illawarra in Wollongong on Friday.

The Roosters - which must win at least five of their final five regular season games to ensure a finals berth - will leave it until the last minute before making a decision on his availability.

In some welcome good news, Kiwi prop Jason Cayless (ankle) is a definite starter against the Dragons.

"We'll get down to Wollongong and see how he comes through," Roosters physiotherapist Craig Walker said of Flannery.

"He trained today and we'll see how he pulls up."

At North Queensland, Kiwi international Paul Rauhihi must pass a fitness test on Friday morning in order to fly out with the Cowboys for its crucial NRL clash with Manly.

The Cowboys looked to have paid a high price for their rousing last round 38-18 win over Penrith with prop Rauhihi (thigh), centre Paul Bowman (ankle) and backrowers Luke O'Donnell (back) and Jacob Lillyman (knee) going down.

All were named in the Cowboys' Sunday clash against Manly at Brookvale Oval but Rauhihi must prove his fitness in order to join the team flight to Sydney on Friday morning.

The Cowboys are fourth on the NRL ladder but are one of six teams on 24 competition points and could drop to as low as eighth if they go down to former ladder leaders Manly.

At Newcastle, Milton Thaiday - named on the bench - still has not fully recovered from a shoulder injury sustained on July 16 and is in doubt for Saturday's clash against Melbourne.

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