AN injury-ravaged Sea Eagles squad was dealt a crippling blow on Monday with centre Steve Matai and co-captain Jason King facing a combined 10 weeks on the sidelines.

Matai was worst hit, gone for nine weeks if the club challenges and loses a grade-three reckless high shot at the NRL judiciary on Wednesday night.

If Manly takes the early guilty plea on Matai for his off-the-ball high shot on Bulldogs hooker Michael Ennis, the fiery New Zealander will be gone for seven matches.

Either way, Manly skipper Jamie Lyon believes Matai may need to curb his style.

“He’s an aggressive player, very passionate and we love to play alongside him,” Lyon said.

“(But) sometimes he may need to pick his times better.”

King was also charged with a careless high tackle and is facing a one-game suspension if the club takes the early guilty plea or if they fight it and lose. Manly’s legal team was considering their options on both King and Matai.

Chris Bailey’s clean record means he will escape suspension after being charged with a careless high tackle in the 70th minute of Sunday’s loss to the Bulldogs.

On the injury front, Manly are in a desperate state, with star players Anthony Watmough (ankle/heel) and Kieran Foran (shoulder) the most unlikely to play the Dragons.

Watmough could hardly run on Sunday and is certain to miss a week of training.

Matt Ballin (concussion), Joe Galuvao (groin), and Lyon (ankle) also have minor concerns, but are all likely to play.

Added to the already stacked injury ward of David Williams (shoulder), Brett Stewart (knee), Shane Rodney (knee) and Glenn Stewart out suspended, Manly need a minor miracle to overcome the Dragons on their own turf.

“We don’t know exactly who’s in or who’s out at the moment, we probably won’t know for a few days yet,” Lyon lamented.

If King is suspended, Perry is a likely starter and Bailey may start in the centres to cover for Matai. Impressive young rookies Michael Oldfield and William Hopoate will also come into the picture to play the Dragons.

“We are running out of troops,” Sea Eagles official Peter Peters said.

“Strap your boots on, you could get a game.”

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