Bulldogs five-eighth Josh Reynolds has been ruled out of his side's Round 14 clash with the Dragons at ANZ Stadium on Monday afternoon.
Reynolds last played in Round 9, when he injured his hamstring in Canterbury's win over Canberra. Despite being named to return on Tuesday the playmaker hasn't been cleared to make his comeback against the Red V, allowing Matt Frawley to retain his spot in the starting side after being initially selected to start from the interchange.
While Reynolds' omission is a blow for Des Hasler's side they will welcome back captain James Graham and Brett Morris who have both held their spots in the squad when it was cut to 19 men 24 hours prior to kick-off. Chase Stanley will also make his first NRL appearance of the season after an ACL injury ended his 2016 campaign. Kerrod Holland has been named to join the interchange, with Francis Tualau and Brenko Lee the remaining reserves.
Asipeli Fine joins Reynolds as the other man to be cut from the 21-man squad.
The Dragons have dropped Kalifa Faifai Loa and Blake Lawrie from their reserves, set to be unchanged from the side named on Tuesday.
Updated Bulldogs squad
1 Will Hopoate
2 Brett Morris
3 Josh Morris
4 Chase Stanley
5 Marcelo Montoya
17 Matt Frawley
7 Moses Mbye
8 Aiden Tolman
9 Michael Lichaa
10 James Graham (c)
11 Josh Jackson
12 Adam Elliott
13 David Klemmer
Interchange
14 Sam Kasiano
15 Danny Fualalo
16 Greg Eastwood
20 Kerrod Holland
Reserves
19 Francis Tualau
23 Brenko Lee
Coach: Des Hasler
Updated Dragons squad
1 Josh Dugan
2 Nene Macdonald
3 Kurt Mann
4 Tim Lafai
5 Jason Nightingale
6 Gareth Widdop (c)
7 Josh McCrone
8 Russell Packer
9 Cameron McInnes
10 Paul Vaughan
11 Tyson Frizell
12 Joel Thompson
13 Jack de Belin
Interchange
14 Tariq Sims
15 Leeson Ah Mau
16 Hame Sele
17 Taane Milne
Reserves
18 Jacob Host
21 Jai Field
Coach: Paul McGregor
