South Sydney's finals hopes have been dealt a massive blow with superstar Greg Inglis to miss the remainder of the NRL season.

Scans on Monday confirmed a grade two ankle syndesmosis for the Test and Queensland representative, who suffered the ligament injury in Sunday's 22-10 loss to Brisbane.

His absence will be felt on Friday night when the Rabbitohs need to beat Newcastle to secure a finals berth that looked almost impossible a month ago.

Club officials had been hoping for better news after Inglis appeared better than expected at Monday's recovery session despite using crutches and wearing a 'moon boot'.

He will now be immobilised for 4-6 weeks meaning, even if the Rabbitohs made the grand final, he would not.

Five-eighth John Sutton (hand) and fullback Nathan Merritt (quad) will return after missing the Suncorp Stadium defeat as a precaution.

Captain Roy Asotasi (wrist) won't be back before the finals.

Fellow prop Ben Ross is also hobbling but said a minor knee problem wouldn't stop him from playing what could be his last game for the Rabbitohs.

"This morning I woke up and went to go for a surf and my knee was a little bit sore and stiff and I thought I'd better start relaxing a little bit," Ross said.

"I'm feeling OK, a bit of rehab today and I should be fine."

The Knights also have their problems for the must-win clash, with stand-in centre Keith Lulia (knee) gone, youngster Zane Tetevano (hamstring) in doubt along with hooker Matt Hilder (head gash) and centre Adam MacDougall (knee).

Elsewhere, half a dozen Cowboys have been hit by a gastro bug that had affected Test halfback Johnathan Thurston last week.

The North Queenslanders fly to Auckland on Thursday for Saturday night's clash with the Warriors, which will have a major bearing on the make-up of the top four.

Lock Dallas Johnson will undergo concussion tests this week but club medical staff expect him to play.

Departing Penrith veteran Trent Waterhouse is in extreme doubt for Friday night's clash with St George Illawarra after suffering medial ligament damage in Saturday night's win over Canberra.

Panthers star Michael Jennings' season is over with a shoulder injury, but captain Petero Civoniceva's leg problem is not serious.

Parramatta's bid to avoid the wooden spoon with a win over Gold Coast on Saturday night has been dealt a blow with NSW prop Tim Mannah suffering a grade one hamstring tear in the loss to the Sydney Roosters.

He will be assessed later in the week but is in considerable doubt for the Skilled Park match.

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