Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan is toying with a surprise selection and using Ben Barba at hooker against Manly on Sunday.
Sharks rake Michael Ennis will miss the NRL match at Brookvale Oval because of a one-week suspension for a high tackle.
Back-up Pat Politoni will start the game at No.9, however Flanagan said he had the option to replace him with the former Dally M winner during the match.
Barba appears to have found his niche as a utility and has made an impact coming off the bench in the side's last two wins against North Queensland and Newcastle.
He did not spend much time at hooker at training during the week.
Halfback Jeff Robson shapes as the most likely option to slot into dummy half when Politoni comes off and did train there for extended periods.
Politoni is an 80 minute hooker at NSW Cup level but because of the increased speed at NRL level, he is unlikely to play the whole game against the Sea Eagles.
There is also the concern about Barba's ability to handle standing in the front defensive line, although his speed and agility means he could jump into dummy half throughout the game.
"Patty can play 80 (minutes), he's played 80 before, it's an option I've got up my sleeve if I need to," Flanagan said.
"I can move (Robson) in there, Benny Barba could slot in there.
"We'll just see the way the game goes. I try not to pre-empt those types of things."
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