His neck is still sore and headaches are persisting, but Manly winger Michael Bani is confident he can overcome his "scary" injury to play the Bulldogs this Saturday.

The Thursday Island-born 23-year-old was carried from Parramatta Stadium last Friday with concussion and a suspected fractured neck after a heavy collision left him with a tingling sensation down his arms.

He was cleared of spinal damage after x-ray, CT and MRI scans at Westmead Hospital in the early hours of Saturday morning and is now plotting an immediate return to playing.

"I'm pretty confident, the tests results came back normal so that is great news," he said.

"It was a bit scary 'cause I started feeling tingling and stuff down my arm ... they were concerned about my neck but I wasn't really scared or thinking it could be worse-case scenario but it was still quite a scare.

"When I rang mum and that at 3 o'clock in the morning they were still awake and really concerned about my health.

"Yeah it's still hurting a bit and I'm getting headaches and stuff but I should be right this weekend."

Bani's confidence is sure to ease the concerns of coach Des Hasler, who is battling to cobble together a fit team with almost half his regular squad injured.

Five-eighth Steve Menzies (hamstring) is out, forward Mark Bryant (ankle) is only a 50-50 chance of playing while Matt Orford (shoulder), Jason King (leg), Luke Williamson (concussion) and Steve Matai (shoulder) will carry injuries into the clash.

Surprisingly, Hasler has named Kiwi Test centre Matai at five-eighth and not Jamie Lyon, the man brought to the club last year to become their permanent No.6.

Backrower Anthony Watmough (ankle) had been ruled out for four weeks but will try to persuade Hasler and medical staff he can play the Dogs, although he is more likely to miss this week and return after the bye in round nine.

"I'm trying to convince everyone (I can play). Personally I know if I played I could handle the little bit of pain that I would be in but it's only early in the season," Watmough said.

"We just want to get it right so it doesn't get any worse.

"I will be back 100 per cent at least after the bye."

Hasler, meanwhile, says he will discuss his side's worrying penalty count with referees' boss Robert Finch this week.

The Eagles were on the wrong side of a 7-1 count in their brave win over Parramatta last week and also conceded penalties at crucial times against Melbourne a week prior.

"It's probably where the penalties are given and how they are given that I will talk to the referees' director Mr Finch about," said Hasler.

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