The Canberra Raiders have reaffirmed that Josh Hodgson will be named to play in this weekend's do-or-die semi-final clash against the Penrith Panthers on Saturday night despite sustaining ankle ligament damage.
Hodgson suffered the injury just after half-time in the Raiders' eventual 16-14 loss to the Sharks in week one of the NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Series.
Hodgson required the help of two trainers to be taken from the field after teammate Aidan Sezer's trailing leg came in contact with the hooker's lower leg when attempting to stop a Luke Lewis line break.
The Raiders also reaffirmed Blake Austin (hand) would be named to play the Panthers and at this stage appears more likely to play than Hodgson.
Raiders prop Junior Paulo was confident his team had the necessary cattle to fill Hodgson's void if he fails to play.
"I'm not sure how [Hodgson] is travelling at the moment but we're looking forward to getting him in the team this week," Paulo said of the injured No.9.
"I haven't seen him at all [on Monday]. I'm sure he'll be working as hard as he can in rehab this week to get back on the field.
"We're a tight-knit group here so we have other guys who can fill in the gap for sure if he misses out," he added.
"I'm sure they'll do the right job but for now we're training as if 'Hodgo' will be packing in at hooker for us."
Winger Edrick Lee was confident ex-Knights hooker Adam Clydsdale would feature if Hodgson doesn't play.
"I've seen (Hodgson) walking around which is a good sign," Lee said.
"But if he's unfortunate not to play then I'm sure the coaches will utilise our other option in Adam Clydsdale."
Coach Ricky Stuart continued to stress the importance of keeping the Raiders' mindset as positive as possible in the aftermath of his side's two-point loss to the Sharks.
It's a mantra his players have appeared to have already taken on board.
"We have to move on," prop Shannon Boyd said.
"We'll put it behind us, get our bodies right and rip back in."
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