St George Illawarra may be without a trio of key forwards in tonight's crucial NRL clash with Newcastle.
Representative stars Michael Weyman, Ben Creagh and Beau Scott failed to train with the competition leaders in Wollongong yesterday.
It is a major setback for the Dragons, who can secure their second successive minor premiership with victory at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
Full coverage of the Dragons Weyman is battling hamstring soreness and Creagh was ill, while Scott (pictured above) is in severe doubt of missing his second consecutive match with lower back and leg problems.
Captain Ben Hornby remained confident about Weyman and Creagh lacing up their boots against the in-form Knights, but the club has major doubts over Scott's fitness.
"Beau is struggling a bit at the moment, he'll be given until [today]," Hornby said.
"But we did without him last week, so I'm sure the blokes will come out and do a good job.
"Mick's right, he just felt a few of his muscles were a bit tight so we let him have a rest.
"Benny Creagh has been a little bit sick, so that's why he didn't train a great deal today."
Utility second-rower or centre Nick Emmett is on standby for Scott, who will have a fitness test today.
Scott and Jeremy Smith were ruled out of last weekend's loss to the Raiders in Canberra.
Smith will line up against Newcastle despite training yesterday with a knee-length rehabilitative sock covering one calf muscle.
Veteran hooker Luke Priddis will be the player to drop off an extended bench tonight.
Weyman has made an immediate impact since coming back from a month-long suspension for a dangerous tackle against the Wests Tigers.
The NSW prop has averaged 110m per game in the past three rounds and has made 68 tackles and 12 tackle breaks.
Creagh has also been back to his dangerous best, while Scott has recently adjusted to his move to the forward pack to accommodate Mark Gasnier in the line-up.
Tonight's match is expected to be a sell-out, with only 670 tickets still available late yesterday afternoon.