The Canberra Raiders injury toll rubs salt into David Furner's wounds

THE "House Full" sign has been hanging outside the Canberra casualty ward for close on 18 months.

David Furner

THE "House Full" sign has been hanging outside the Canberra casualty ward for close on 18 months.

And while pressure is sure to mount on coach David Furner tonight should his side lose at home to the Dragons, it is impossible to ignore the injured players he has.

The busted Raiders have missed a collective 149 games since the opening round of last year.

And among the walking wounded have been inspirational playmaker Terry Campese, who has missed 30 games and is gone for the season with a second knee injury, and Josh Dugan (ankle), who has been sidelined for 16 games and counting.

Prop Brett White (knee) is also gone for the season, while representative forwards Tom Learoyd-Lahrs (bicep, eye socket and foot) and David Shillington (back) have been unavailable at different stages.

And yesterday Furner lost back-rower Bronson Harrison during the captain's run, although Joel Thompson was passed fit. A call will be made today on Joe Picker and Sandor Earl is on standby for him.

The horror injury toll is easily the worst in the NRL but Furner refuses to make excuses.

"If you take key players out of any side it makes it tough," he said.

"But we're not using injuries as an excuse. We haven't even spoken about it. I think the biggest thing (with injuries) is not getting that consistency in the team each week.

"We haven't got the chance to develop combinations, and when you develop combinations you build confidence.

"I'm just looking forward to having the same side week in and week out. We had the same team from the Tigers to the Newcastle game (we won). Keeping the same combinations can win games."

Furner is not oblivious to the talk about his future and rumours that NSW coach Ricky Stuart will return to coach at Canberra.

"There will always be speculation when you're not winning," Furner said. "That's how I feel about it. I've got a job to do, and that's all I'm concentrating on. The rumours are out of my control. I know winning makes it easier."

The Raiders will feel confident about their hopes tonight given they have had nine consecutive wins against the Dragons.