Parramatta officials are confident Chad Robinson will play against Manly on Friday night despite the workaholic lock missing training on Thursday due to a stomach virus.

Robinson has been unwell since Wednesday afternoon, his absence from training more a precaution to ensure the illness does not spread throughout the playing group.

Todd Lowrie trained in his place on Thursday, but Eels support staff say Robinson is in no danger of missing the pivotal clash.

The two premiership high-flyers are struggling with just two wins from their opening five matches this season.

Manly centre and former Eel Jamie Lyon is considered a likely starter for the visitors despite battling to overcome a cork in his leg.

The poor early-season form of both sides has affected ticket sales with more than 8,000 tickets still available for a match which normally be a guaranteed sellout.

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