"I've just got to go out there and play, and worry about it two or three days after the game," he said yesterday.

"There's not many games to go and I want to be at my best out on the field. The only way to do that is to be playing and get a few games under my belt.

"I missed a couple of weeks before I played on the weekend, so I need to play and get a bit of confidence out there."

Cooper hurt his heel against Manly last month and missed the Dragons' victories over the Warriors and Storm.

He and New Zealand international lock Jeremy Smith - who hadn't played since round eight because of ankle injury - returned against the Panthers, but the heel problem has continued to dog the former NSW State of Origin centre.

Cooper admitted it was frustrating to be wearing the protective "moon boot".

"It's driving me nuts wearing this boot, it's pretty uncomfortable," he said.

"It's not good not being out there with the boys on a Monday training with the ball in your hands, it's frustrating. I'll just have to do a lot of stuff in the gym while I get it right."

Canberra Raiders star centre Joel Monaghan is battling a leg problem of his own.

Monaghan had a painkilling injection in his leg to play in Saturday night's thrilling 23-20 loss to the Bulldogs but it hit a nerve and forced him from the field when he lost feeling in his lower leg.

Canberra medical staff are still trying to determine the extent of his injury to see if he will be available for the clash with St George Illawarra in the nation's capital on Saturday.

Cooper, however, was hopeful that he would play for the Dragons.

"It looks like I'm going to be in the boot for a couple of days," he said.

"Just to let it rest and heal up and it should be fine for the weekend."