The Dally M Medallist copped a stray boot to the chest in the Raiders' 34-18 victory over the Cronulla Sharks on the Gold Coast on Saturday.

It damaged rib cartilage and forced the Canberra five-eighth off with 20 minutes remaining - the pain visible every time he tackled.

With just a five-day turnaround until they face the top-four Eels, Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said he wouldn't be risking any of his stars with the Green Machine embroiled in a race for the top-eight over the remaining seven rounds.

Wighton was hopeful they'd be able to more accurately locate where he needed his injection.

There was also optimism out of the Raiders camp young gun Xavier Savage (shoulder) would also be right for Thursday.

He starred in the win, scoring a try and setting up another with his electrifying pace.

The Raiders are going into the Eels clash off the back of back-to-back wins for just the second time this season, which moved them into ninth on the NRL ladder and just points differential keeping them out of the eight.

"I'm alright mate. My guess is maybe just a bit of rib cartilage," Wighton said.

"When they went around us on the edge there and I tried to tackle [Sharks winger Sione Katoa] and just landed on the boot and I felt something pop which is just sore as now.

"I'm hoping for the best. I think I'll be alright. Once we identify where the actual ribs popped we can needle it on the spot."

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He got a painkilling injection at half-time, but could only carry on for another 20 minutes after the break before coming off.

Wighton revealed it wasn't so much the tackling that was the problem - but when his teammates joined the tackle that was when the pain hit.

"It was just when my own team applied pressure and I was in the middle and it squashed up I could really feel it in my chest," he said.

"That's when it hurt the most."

Wighton was thankful to have his young family up on the Gold Coast - and also thankful for the help the other players' partners had given his wife Monisha.

She only gave birth to their third child a couple of weeks ago and had to move herself, their two daughters Aaliyah and Ariah and newly born son Kayce up to the Gold Coast at the drop of a hat.

Understandably, Monisha was a little stressed.

"Very blessed they got out of Canberra and got up here so after these two weeks I'll be able to have them with me," Wighton said.

"She was a little bit rattled, but we got some good help with some other partners that are staying with her at the moment, hopefully helping her out and helping her get through these next two weeks.

"I was definitely worried about it at first, but she seems pretty positive at the moment, just a bit tired."

NRL ROUND 19

Thursday: Canberra Raiders v Parramatta Eels at the Gold Coast, 7.50pm.