SEA Eagles co-captain Jamie Lyon has revealed his club will consider giving star halfback Daly Cherry-Evans a break to freshen up in the countdown to the NRL finals.
Cherry-Evans has shouldered a h
eavy workload through the State of Origin campaign and has displayed plenty of courage by continuing to play with a knee injury.
"I would say he might get a rest in the next few weeks," Lyon said yesterday.
"It depends on how his knee is and how his body is feeling in general.
But I'm sure that would be thought of down the track, we'll just have to wait and see how he is."
Cherry-Evans is widely regarded as the best halfback in the NRL and it is crucial he is at his best for the Sea Eagles in the play-offs.
Lyon is confident that Cherry-Evans is coping with both the physical and mental demands during this time high pressure period.
"I'm sure he is fine and he would be enjoying his time in camp with the boys," Lyon said.
"We are hoping Daly will come back fit and fresh and ready to go."
The Sea Eagles immediate concern is improving on their last start 23-16 loss to the Bulldogs when they play Wests Tigers at Brookvale Oval on Friday night.
"A couple of months ago when we played them there at Leichhardt they were too good for us and out enthused us in every single play," said Manly fullback Brett Stewart.
"So hopefully the tides will change on Friday in front of a packed house at Brookie."
Winger Jorge Taufua missed the Bulldogs game with an ankle injury and rates himself a 50-50 chance of playing on Friday.
"I have a couple of fitness tests in the next couple of days, so fingers crossed," Taufua said.
Jon Geddes
Manly Daily
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