Cronulla coach Ricky Stuart will name Trent Barrett for Sunday's NRL match against the Bulldogs, just 48 hours after the Sharks star was stretchered from the field with what appeared to be a serious neck injury.

But Stuart is holding little hope of having his key playmaker back on deck so soon.

Scans late Sunday night cleared Barrett of serious injury after he was carried off in a neck brace early in the second half of his side's 10-6 loss to St George Illawarra.

Barrett returned to his home south of Wollongong where he continued to be treated by the club's physio on Monday and it was expected he would return to training on Tuesday.

Sharks doctor David Givney said it was possible Barrett would play within a fortnight, Stuart holding hope of a minor miracle for an even speedier return.

"I'll probably name Trent and just see where he is at the back of the week," Stuart told Sydney radio station 2SM on Monday.

"I spoke to him this morning and he's very sore and I suppose it would be a miracle for him to play, but if I name him and give him every opportunity ... but I've got Blake (Green) and Brett Seymour coming back so we'll be able to sort something out there."

Barrett said he wouldn't be rushing his comeback.

"I couldn't feel my arm so I was a little bit worried but after 15 or 20 minutes I started to get some feeling and movement back," Barrett said.

"I'm feeling pretty stiff and sore today but I won't really know how soon I'll be able to get back on the field until I've had some physio and we see how it all settles down."

The Barrett injury is the last thing the depleted Sharks needed with prop Ben Ross (neck) and fullback Brett Kearney (foot) already out for the season.

Their attack is the worst in the league in relation to points scored and they now face a Bulldogs side likely to be smarting from the loss of two competition points for fielding 14 players in a win over Penrith in round two.

"It's (the injuries) always a concern so early in the season because you know it's not going to be your last with so many games in front of us," Stuart said.

"It just continually puts pressure on you, but we've got to keep our heads up and keep punching forward."

The news on Newcastle backrower Cory Patterson was also better than expected with scans confirming only a slight muscle tear at the back of the ankle.

Patterson remains some chance of taking on Manly in Sunday's first home game of the season but is more likely to return the following week against the Warriors.

St George Illawarra Matt Cooper centre will have scans on his injured hamstring on Tuesday but is a definite non-starter against Brisbane on Friday night.

Cooper limped from the field early in his side's win over the Sharks, club medicos opting to let the injury rest before sending the former international for scans.

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