St George Illawarra skipper Ben Hornby remains some chance of being fit for Monday's blockbuster clash with Manly as the premiers try to stop their slide down the NRL ladder.

Hornby is battling an ankle strain which left him a virtual passenger in Friday night's loss to Brisbane, the veteran halfback limping through the first half before finally giving in to the injury at the break.

His Dragons' teammates remain optimistic of having him on deck for the tussle with the Sea Eagles, a game which has taken on extra importance for the red and whites following their slip to third on the ladder.

"Hopefully, Benny should pull through. Our fingers are crossed that he can come through for us," said Dragons' hooker Nathan Fien, who will slide over to halfback should Hornby not be fit.

"We've got a few injuries at the moment. The boys are playing State of Origin and backing up, but we really don't have any excuses for our performances over the last few weeks. Every club goes through it."

In a worrying sign for both the Dragons and NSW side ahead of the Origin series decider, neither Beau Scott (knee) nor Ben Creagh (ankle) were named to face Manly.

Both were injured in the Origin II win over Queensland, and with the Blues' side for game three to be named on Sunday, NSW coach Ricky Stuart will no doubt be guided by updates from Dragons' medical officials.

The Sea Eagles named Joe Galuvao in the hope scan results will clear him of a broken hand, the veteran backrower having carried the injury through much of Monday night's win over Parramatta.

Manly will be desperate to have Galuvao available for the trip to WIN Stadium, given Tony Williams was ruled out for four to six weeks with a grade two hamstring tear.

Wests Tigers have lost star five-eighth Benji Marshall with a knee injury for Friday night's encounter with Canterbury, coach Tim Sheens opting for rookie Jacob Miller in the No.6 jumper, ahead of the more experienced Tim Moltzen,who will start from the bench.

Under-fire Bulldogs' coach Kevin Moore has welcomed back some reinforcements, with halfback Trent Hodkinson and hooker Michael Ennis returning to the line-up.

Canberra duo Josh Dugan (ankle) and Joel Thompson (groin) weren't named for Saturday's home game against an unchanged Parramatta, but the latter remains some hope of forcing his way into the starting line-up.

"Joel has had a bit of a run and if he's fit, he'll get an opportunity but, at the moment, he's only had two running sessions in the last four or five days," Raiders' coach David Furner said.

"At this stage, the team I've named is the team I'll play."

Brisbane welcome back Justin Hodges, Corey Parker and Matt Gillett - the trio all named to play South Sydney in Perth on Friday night, Gillett returning for the first time since breaking his foot in the round-six win over the Sydney Roosters.

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