Gallen ready to fire-up flagging Sharks

Talismanic skipper Paul Gallen is straining at the leash to return for Cronulla as the Sharks look to end an alarming slump that’s threatening to kill off their finals aspirations.

Gallen has not played in the NRL for almost two months having damaged his posterior cruciate knee ligament in May and sustaining an abdominal problem during State of Origin.

The 30-year-old’s inclusion in the team to face the Warriors on Sunday cannot come soon enough for Shane Flanagan’s outfit, who’ve slipped to seventh on the ladder on the back of three straight losses.

Having looked a top-four certainty for much of the year, the Sharks travel to Auckland for a difficult encounter with the enigmatic Warriors, who are clinging to the hope of making the finals.

The Sharks are three points clear of eighth-placed Gold Coast and a win across the Tasman will go a long way to securing a first finals berth in four years.

Gallen has been told by a specialist he needs to spend at least another two weeks on the sidelines, but the back-rower says he’s had enough of the gym and will play through the pain barrier.

“I am playing Sunday, no matter what,” Gallen said.

“I am sick of sitting on the sidelines. If I pull up sore tomorrow or after the game, I don’t care.

“I am sick of the gym, sick of being on a bike – I just want to play some footy.”

The NSW captain admits he’s found it hard watching on as the injury-hit Sharks battle to rediscover the form with which they reeled off six straight wins earlier this year.

“We don’t want the season to slip away,” he said.

“This game is a big game for us. But we’re only one or two refereeing decisions away from sitting in fourth spot.

“One win or loss can move you two or three places up or down the ladder. But we’re sitting here with five rounds to go. It’s in our hands.

“It’s a tough road trip but we have to go over there and get a win.”

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!