Manly coach Des Hasler’s blunt update on Tom Trbojevic’s return

Manly coach Des Hasler has revealed when star fullback Tom Trbojevic could return to play as the Sea Eagles chase a top four finish.

The Sea Eagles will likely make a final decision on Tom Trbojevic’s fitness later on Thursday ahead of their clash against the Raiders.

The Sea Eagles are keeping their cards close to their chest when it comes to updates on star fullback Tom Trbojevic’s injury, but Des Hasler provided a major insight on when he might return to action.

Trbojevic was under an injury cloud after copping a whack to his cheekbone during Manly’s 56-10 thumping over a hapless Parramatta Eels side.

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However, Sea Eagles physio James Rahme said the flyer had recovered well from the incident and would be good to go for the side’s bumper clash against the Canberra Raiders on Friday night.

Trbojevic had a previous injury in the same space on his face, heightening the anxiety around his knock from the Eels game.

Hasler named Trbojevic in the starting line-up but stopped short of confirming whether the 24-year-old would start against the Raiders when providing an update on his fitness.

“He’s progressing pretty well. We’ll probably make a call later today,” Hasler said.

Trbojevic was named in the Sea Eagles’ starting line-up but could be a late scratching. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

According to Hasler, the only thing holding Trbojevic back would be “swelling, whether it’s a risk or not”.

Given the worries surrounding Trbojevic are linked to an old injury, there are fears of what could happen should the fullback take another knock to the same spot against the Raiders.

Hasler was inconclusive on the risk levels involved but asserted he wouldn’t play Trbojevic if he didn’t need to.

“I’m not really sure, I’m not a facial surgeon so I really can’t give you an exact answer,” Hasler said.

“But there’s no fracture there, so that was the main thing.

“It’s whether or not to risk upsetting or injuring the plate, it’s something that we’ll take pretty seriously.

The Sea Eagles are locked in a battle with the Sydney Roosters for fourth spot on the ladder, which the Eastern Suburbs outfit occupies on 30 competition points.

Des Hasler will make a final call on Trbojevic later on Thursday. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

However, Hasler’s side is just two points away and has a favourable run-in to the end of the season, with games against the Raiders, the Bulldogs and the Cowboys to come.

Losing their talisman for the remaining games is something that Hasler, or any Manly fan for that matter, would not want to see.

But the head honcho already has a backup plan sorted.

“More (than) likely Ruben (Garrick). He’s had a great season and there’s a bit to go yet,” Hasler said.

A great season is perhaps an understatement, as Garrick leads the NRL in points scored this season with a cool 268 points to his name.

He’s crossed the chalk on 20 occasions this season, including a stunning four-try haul against the Titans in round 15 and a hat-trick in last weekend’s victory over the Eels.

Garrick has also posted 94 goals this season, and if Manly’s dazzling point scores continue, he’ll almost certainly break the century barrier.

However, the Sea Eagles will have their work cut out against a Raiders outfit who got the better of them in round 17, as Ricky Stuart’s side emerged 30-16 victors.

The Raiders will be fighting tooth and nail for every point as they hope to secure a finals berth.

The green machine sits in ninth spot on the ladder but equal on 20 competition points with the eighth-placed Gold Coast Titans.