Sheens hopeful of big four's return - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Sheens hopeful of big four's return

David Beniuk 04/09/2011 05:18:04 PM Comments (0)

Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens is hopeful four big names will bolster his side for Friday night's blockbuster final against St George Illawarra at ANZ Stadium.

The Tigers will use the week to freshen up the weary legs that have carried them to eight straight wins and assess injured quartet Chris Lawrence, Todd Payten, Keith Galloway and Beau Ryan.

Test centre Lawrence is due back from a hamstring injury for week one of the finals, while Payten would be making an earlier than expected recovery from a calf problem if he plays against the Dragons.

Galloway and Ryan were both ruled before kick-off in Saturday night's 30-22 win over Cronulla but Sheens said all four were chances of playing in a game that could draw more than 60,000 fans.

"We didn't have any major issues," Sheens said.

"We've got a bit of ice on us but we'll be right, we'll have a fairly strong outfit next week.

"We've got more coming back than (we're) losing anyway.

"If I got the four back I'd be happy."

Superstar playmaker Benji Marshall and dual international Lote Tuqiri provided some anxious moments at Toyota Stadium with the five-eighth at one stage clutching a shoulder and the winger limping away from a tackle.

Neither appear to be in any doubt for the qualifying final, where a defeat can mean elimination by the end of the weekend if other results go against the loser.

Captain Robbie Farah declared himself right after arriving at Saturday night's press conference with his right arm iced.

Sheens said he would allow his troops to prepare for the physicality of the improving premiers with a light week.

"We'll be just focusing very much on the key things this week for ourselves, preparing everybody, overcoming any issues that we've got," he said.

"Most of the guys can afford a bit of a rest now going into this game.

"We'll just go through our plays, we know what we want to do, it's just a matter of sorting the team out as to who's fit and who's going to play."

Meanwhile, battered Sharks captain Paul Gallen says he'll be ready for more football when Australia play New Zealand next month before heading to the UK for the Four Nations tournament.

Gallen played through a calf injury to keep Cronulla alive soon after his now famous exploits as an 80-minute prop for the NSW State of Origin side.

He is a certainty for the Kangaroos squad coached by Sheens.

"I was pretty happy with my year up until I tore my calf and I just came back a week or two early," Gallen said.

"I had to do it, we were still in contention for the semi-finals.

"Most captains would have done it, I came back and unfortunately it didn't pay off.

"There was three or four weeks there where I did struggle but the last two or three have been OK, my body's fine.

"I'm back to normal."

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