A desperate South Sydney are confident of having talisman Sam Burgess available for their crunch NRL clash with Parramatta next week.
The hard-working back-rower managed just 25 minutes in Friday's 30-14 loss to Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium before leaving the field with a shoulder injury.
After being kneed in the shoulder trying to put pressure on Tigers playmaker Mitchell Moses' kick in the first half, Burgess went up the tunnel and played no further part in the game.
Back-to-back losses have deflated the Rabbitohs' season and they likely need to win seven of their last 11 to make the top eight.
As well as a tough draw, which will see them face Parramatta, Penrith, North Queensland and Brisbane over the next five rounds, they also have to contend with a growing injury list and the loss of star players to rep duties.
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Michael Maguire will lose halves Greg Inglis and Adam Reynolds to State of Origin commitments against the Eels next week while Burgess is no certainty and Bryson Goodwin (broken hand) is facing a lengthy stint out.
Maguire was optimistic that they wouldn't be without Burgess for long, knowing his loss would be a massive body blow heading into a crucial part of the season.
"He's got a lot of pain in his shoulder so they're still having a look at that one," Maguire said of Burgess' injury.
"He actually said at the back end of the game there was an opportunity to come back out.
"That's a positive for next week and we look forward to that one."
