Paul Gallen has been ruled out of Cronulla’s preliminary final clash with Melbourne on Friday night with a shoulder injury.

Gallen was in a race against the clock to take part in the match after being injured in last week’s win over Penrith, before the pin was pulled late on Thursday afternoon.

“While the improvement in the condition of his shoulder had been considerable over the past few days, the Friday kick off will come too soon for the Sharks skipper,” Cronulla said in a statement.