St GEORGE Illawarra suffered a major blow yesterday with powerful forward Neville Costigan ruled out with a hip problem.
Costigan battled the injury during the Dragons' 24-12 loss to his former club Canberra on Saturday night and did not train during the team's final session before tonight's clash with the Broncos at WIN Stadium.
Centre Chase Stanley has been brought into the team in Costigan's place, with Jason Nightingale and Jon Green coming off the extended bench.
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TRY HARD BLOG: 10 reasons to love the DragonsListen to Graham Wilson's new Dragons songSt George Illawarra have been boosted by the return of former NSW State of Origin representative Matt Cooper, who has overcome a heel injury.
Centre Beau Scott and second-rower Matt Prior are also back from suspension.
Dragons prop Michael Weyman, who was knocked out in a sickening head clash with Canberra's Josh Miller, has been cleared to play.
Captain Ben Hornby said the team had already proven it could overcome any injury problems this season.
"Neville is struggling at the moment," Hornby said.
"Coops should be available, he's just trying to get through training and put all his effort into the game."
The Broncos have their own selection headaches, after young centre Alex Glenn withdrew yesterday with an ankle problem.
Winger Wendell Sailor, following a dominant performance against his opposite Antonio Winterstein in the Dragons 25-12 victory over the Broncos in Brisbane earlier this year, threw out the challenge yesterday.
Sailor said he was looking forward to a rematch with Winterstein, after the 21-year-old claimed he would be ready for the dual international this time around.
"He's a good kid, but he's on my ground now," Sailor said.
"I went to his turf and I schooled him, now he's going to come to big Dell's Dragon house and I'm looking forward to the challenge."