Manly has suffered a crushing blow on the eve of the NRL club's biggest game in nearly a decade after strike centre Steve Bell was ruled out with a foot injury.

Bell will miss the sudden-death semi-final with St George Illawarra at Aussie Stadium and won't play again this season unless the Sea Eagles make the grand final.

The loss of the Queensland three-quarter comes as Manly attempts to win its first finals match since the 1997 series.

"The doctor doubted he could get through the game and we aren't prepared to take the risk," Manly coach Des Hasler said.

"It is shocking luck for Belly who has had a great season.

"Hopefully we can beat the Dragons and then the Storm and have Steve back for the grand final."

The loss of Bell has caused a reshuffle for the Sea Eagles, with Chris Hicks to move from the wing into the centres and either Mitch Creary or Paul Stephenson to come onto the flank.

Likewise, the Dragons are also without star centre Mark Gasnier, who was unable to overcome a hip complaint in time for Friday's game.

"There's been no miracle cure so he won't be playing," Dragons coach Nathan Brown said.

"He's definitely improved but as the doc said he wouldn't be fit for this week but he'd be fit for the following week.

"It was a firm decision on Monday. He won't be turning up tomorrow night.

"Obviously he'd like to play, but he's not fit and we've got a lot of confidence in (replacement) Daryl Millard.

"It wasn't like Gaz was out and we've all sort of gone `oh no, we're not going to win'.

"We just put Daryl in and we're still expecting to go well."

Brown also ended speculation about halfback Mathew Head coming into the starting side, but indicated he may get more than the 30 minutes match time he had against the Broncos last weekend.

"He won't start," Brown said.

"He's more match fit now than at any stage of the year and his confidence is (improving).

"I'm sure he'll play a major part in our game."

Head was the difference between the teams in their only meeting this year, a 26-24 win to the Dragons in round six at Brookvale Oval.

On that occasion, the classy No.7's kicking and passing game got the joint-venture club home, despite the fact it was his first top-flight game in 10 months after recovering from a knee injury.

Head said he was looking forward to lining up against Manly opposite Matt Orford at some stage during the match.

"He's a great player and we've done a lot of work on him this week," Head said of Orford.

"Once I get out there I'll be up against Matty and I'll have my hands full."

Orford said shutting down Head was crucial to his team's chances.

"He's an important part of how they go," Orford said.

"He's very smart, has a great kicking and passing game, so if his forwards give him time he can cause us some trouble."

Meanwhile, former Kangaroos mentor Chris Anderson on Thursday met with the Sydney Roosters about the club's vacant head coaching position.

And high profile Roosters board member Mark Bouris told Channel Nine on Thursday he'd be pleased to have Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett on board but suggested the parties weren't seeing eye to eye at this stage.

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