Ricky Stuart knows Paul Gallen will be in Canberra on Sunday.
But whether the NRL stalwart leads Cronulla out on GIO Stadium against the Raiders is another question.
The Sharks are giving their co-captain every chance to prove his fitness as he works his way back from a knee injury after missing the last three games.
Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan was hesitant to say how likely Gallen was to play when speaking on Friday, but the 36-year-old trained well on Thursday.
Gallen has been in contact with his former coach, but Stuart said the 310-game gave nothing away.
"I know he's (Gallen) going to be here because he's asked me to help his young bloke out being a ball boy," Stuart said on Saturday.
"I said if he wears a Raiders jumper he can do anything he wants.
"We're planning that he's playing. He's their real spiritual leader and the Sharks always give us a tough performance here at home."
Cronulla will already head to the nation's capital without NSW back-rower Wade Graham, who injured his hamstring in last week's thrilling win against Parramatta.
Scott Sorensen is also unavailable after breaking his hand in the same game.
The Raiders have suffered a key injury blow of their own, with off-contract forward Junior Paulo facing up to 10 weeks on the sidelines with a foot issue.
But Stuart has an easy replacement for Paulo in the starting side with Shannon Boyd slotting in beside Sia Soliola.
Cronulla is clinging onto eighth position with a 5-4 record, but the Raiders could replace them if they win and Manly upsets Brisbane.
"They''re a dangerous team. They can score points. We just need to make sure that we defend well and it's not a 40-30 type of scoreline," Flanagan said.
After slumping to 0-4, Canberra have won four of their last five games.
STATS THAT MATTER
- The past nine matches between these two teams have been won by the away team. Cronulla have won their past five matches at GIO Stadium.
- Cronulla's Andrew Fifita leads the NRL in offloads (31) and has the second most runs (157).
- After losing their first three games of the season by a combined total of five points, the Raiders' past six matches have been decided by 10 points or more.
