Manly coach Geoff Toovey will be left scouring the northern beaches for a back-up hooker for the Sea Eagles’ do-or-die semi-final next week.

Jayden Hodges suffered a neck injury in Manly’s 40-24 pummelling from South Sydney at Allianz Stadium on Friday, adding to a forgettable night for the finals specialists.

Manly opened their 10th successive NRL finals series by falling behind 40-0 after 56 minutes before bouncing back with four tries in the last 16 minutes.

Filling in for Matt Ballin (leg), with stand-in rake Jamie Buhrer (knee) also sidelined, Hodges caught Greg Inglis’ hip in the fifth minute and didn’t return after the break after being sent to hospital for scans.

The injury adds to a horror injury toll for Manly, who also have Glenn Stewart (ankle) sidelined.

Toovey said Ballin was an unlikely starter for next week and that the move to take Hodges to St Vincent’s hospital was precautionary.

“I will have to wait for a report on Jayden, he had a couple of instances and it wasn’t improving so the medical staff took that decision to take him off,” Toovey said.

“That doesn’t help our cause, but we are not blaming the loss on that.

“We just need to be better across the park.

On Ballin Toovey said: “He is a hope but they are long odds because of his injury.”

When asked who could now fill the dummy half role Toovey answered: “Good question.”

Ballin declined to talk when approached by reporters.

Peta Hiku, who filled in during the second half at hooker against Souths in Hodges’ absence, could be one candidate.

Manly will host next Saturday at Allianz Stadium the winner of Sunday’s elimination final between Melbourne and Canterbury.