SEA Eagles skipper Jamie Lyon could revert back to the position that won Manly the 2008 NRL premiership for Sunday’s semi-final against the Dragons at Kogarah Oval.

Lyon is a strong option for Manly coach Des Hasler to start at five-eighth with Kieran Foran (shoulder) out of business for the under-manned Sea Eagles.

Foran’s injury is likely to keep him out of New Zealand’s end-of-season Four Nations campaign.

Lyon partnered Matt Orford in the halves when Manly won the premiership by beating Melbourne two years ago.

Hasler will give leading forward Anthony Watmough (ankle) every opportunity to play. It is believed the Narrabeen junior will limp on and face the minor premiers.

Late Tuesday, Hasler named a squad of 20 with rookies William Hopoate, Michael Oldfield, Vic Mauro, Terence Seu Seu and Daly Cherry-Evans all picked. Foran was also picked, but won’t play.

“We won’t get a clear indication until towards the end of the week,” Hasler said.

“We’ll back ourselves and our own belief in each other. We don’t need a siege mentality. There’s probably eight definites on the sideline at the moment.”

Among them are Steve Matai who has accepted an early guilty plea on a reckless high tackle charge from the Bulldogs loss and is out for seven matches.

Joining him is Jason King who also took the early guilty plea on a careless high tackle charge against the Bulldogs and will only miss the Dragons game.

Utility Chris Bailey also took the early guilty plea, but is free to play on the weekend.

Matai’s heavy ban follows the recent four-week suspension of Glenn Stewart. The Kiwi international cannot serve any part of his suspension through the Four Nations tournament.

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