Broken thumb set to sideline Bird

Cronulla and NSW five-eighth Greg Bird is resigned to missing the rest of the season with a broken thumb.

Bird will visit a Sydney specialist today when he expects to be told he will be sidelined for up to eight weeks, with surgery a distinct possibility. The Sharks playmaker says he remembers his thumb making heavy contact in a tackle during Cronulla's 23-12 upset loss to the Sydney Roosters on Saturday night.

He played out the match but was yesterday nursing a badly swollen hand. The devastating blow comes at the worst possible time for the struggling Sharks who already have first choice halves Brett Kimmorley and Adam Dykes on the sidelines.

Ricky Stuart's men have lost six of their last seven matches to drop to 11th place on the ladder.