Manly coach Des Hasler has thrown up the left-field solution of widening the NRL playing area in a bid to stem the number of injuries decimating the game's playing ranks.

In a clear sign of the desperation the early-season casualty list has had on the competition, Hasler said it was time to think outside the box - with more than $10 million of talent already sitting on the sidelines.

"Don't extend the squad, extend the size of the field," Hasler suggested on Tuesday.

"Why not?

"If you've got a bigger field they've got to do more chasing so there's more running.

"It's about putting things out there. I have heard of worse ones than that.

"There is more space to run into so the hits are less. It's one to think about."

While Hasler was happy to propose radical solutions to the current crisis, the Sea Eagles mentor stopped short of endorsing other ideas - such as cutting the number of players on the field.

"That probably goes against the culture and the tradition and the history of the game - it's been a 13-a side game," Hasler said.

Retired dual international Mat Rogers said Hasler's concept was worth consideration, but claimed the change could actually serve to increase the number of injuries.

"I reckon I got more injuries playing out wide than playing in tight," Rogers said.

"When you're out wide, your arms and legs are all over the shop and you're moving at a lot faster pace.

"There's probably an argument for both cases I guess."

Hasler said clubs were struggling to cope with mounting injury tolls, Newcastle without six top line stars for their meeting with premiers St George Illawarra on Sunday after an expensive loss to the Sea Eagles.

The Knights are at least better off than the Tigers, with young halfback Robert Lui the latest addition to a casualty list which already includes Test players Gareth Ellis, Lote Tuqiri and Chris Lawrence as well as Bryce Gibbs, Liam Fulton and Beau Ryan.

The player shortage has forced Tigers coach Tim Sheens to call up Toyota Cup playmaker Jacob Miller to make his NRL debut at halfback in Sunday's meeting with his former club the Sydney Roosters, while Tim Moltzen was named in the centres to replace Lawrence.

Miller's shock call-up adds weight to calls for clubs to be allowed to sign players outside the salary cap to accommodate injured players.

"Getting your full squad on the field at one time is not a reality anymore," Hasler said.

"For us it's been well over 18 months to two years since we've had our full contingent.

"I think it poses some serious questions that need to be thought about by the independent commission and the CEOs and by David (NRL chief executive David Gallop).

"Is 25 players enough anymore given the ferocity and the intensity of the game?"

Meanwhile, club doctors are set to have a phone hook-up on Thursday to discuss a possible revamp of procedures and rules regarding concussed players.

The issue raised its head at the weekend after Newcastle backrower Richie Fa'aoso returned to field after being concussed in his side's loss to Manly.

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