Cronulla coach Ricky Stuart will name Trent Barrett for Sunday's NRL match against the Bulldogs, just 48 hours after the Sharks star was stretchered from the field with what appeared to be a serious neck injury.
But Stuart is holding little hope of having his key playmaker back on deck so soon.
Scans late Sunday night cleared Barrett of serious injury after he was carried off in a neck brace early in the second half of his side's 10-6 loss to St George Illawarra. Barrett returned to his home south of Wollongong where he continued to be treated by the club's physio yesterday and is expected to return to training today.
Sharks doctor David Givney said it was possible Barrett would play within a fortnight, with Stuart holding hope of a minor miracle for an even speedier return.
''I'll probably name Trent and just see where he is at the back of the week,'' Stuart said yesterday.
''I spoke to him this morning and he's very sore and I suppose it would be a miracle for him to play, but if I name him and give him every opportunity ... I've got Blake [Green] and Brett Seymour coming back so we'll be able to sort something out.''
Barrett said, ''I couldn't feel my arm ... but after 15 or 20 minutes I started to get some feeling and movement back.'' AAP
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