St George Illawarra's injury crisis hit a new low with two stars added to the growing injury list and halfback Mathew Head's return set back another six weeks.

Head injured his knee during the Anzac Day clash with the Sydney Roosters and was initially expected to make a quick recovery but the Dragons released a statement saying: "Head will be out for a further six weeks with ongoing knee problems stemming from the injury."

Utility forward Ashton Sims is set to miss about two months with a fractured wrist while world class centre Mark Gasnier is in doubt for Saturday afternoon's clash with New Zealand Warriors at WIN Stadium with a corked hip.

Sims's wrist injury is a bitter blow for the 21-year-old who had to turn down a representative debut for NSW Country, having been asked to replace Newcastle backrower Clint Newton (fractured eye socket).

Gasnier will not train this week after limping from the field mid-way through Sunday's loss to Cronulla, and while the club has listed him as missing a week it is hoped the Kangaroo international will play this weekend.

The injuries to Gasnier and Sims extends the Dragons injury ward to eight players.

Corey Payne (eye socket), Sam Isemonger (knee), Jason Ryles (hand) and Luke Bailey (knee and ribs) should all be available in the coming few weeks while Wes Naiqama (ankle) won't return in 2006.

Elsewhere Sydney Roosters fullback Anthony Minichiello has accepted doctors advice and will have back surgery on Tuesday.

The incumbent NSW fullback is likely to miss the entire State of Origin series with another eight weeks on the sidelines his initial prognosis.

Manly skipper Ben Kennedy is set to miss two weeks with a calf strain from Sunday's loss to the Wests Tigers.

Other injury news from Monday's NSW City-Country medicals showed Parramatta winger Eric Grothe will miss two weeks with a back strain and Bulldogs winger Hazem El Masri at least won't play this weekend due to a hamstring tear.

Meanwhile Cronulla halfback Brett Kimmorley resumed training after several weeks out due to an ankle injury.

Kimmorley is hopeful of returning to the paddock next weekend, igniting a possible return for NSW State of Origin during this year's series.

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