Cooper joins Dragons
sick list

St George Illawarra Dragons centre Matt Cooper has been ruled out of this Sunday's game against the Penrith Panthers. Its understood the NSW and Australian centre has suffered a hamstring injury. His replacement Daryl Millard is expected to make his first grade debut.

Cooper's omission comes after captain and five-eighth Trent Barrett was also ruled out after being hospitalised early in the week with a virus.

In other news utility Shaun Timmins - who will also miss the match - has been cleared of serious injury following knee surgery on Wednesday.

The Dragons will also be without winger Wes Naiqama who suffered an ankle injury last weekend and injured second rower Ben Creagh (knee) has yet to play in 2006.

Meanwhile half back Mathew Head's recovery continues to remain on hold. Head suffered a season-ending knee injury in June 2005 (round 14). He was scheduled for a return in early April (round 5) but there is speculation this has been put back until round 9.

The Dragons will be blooding two rookies in Millard and hooker George Ndaira this Sunday as well as forward Andrew Price who has played just one first grade game.

The revised Dragons NRL team for Sunday's match in Wollongong is:
1. Clint GREENSHIELDS
2. Reece SIMMONDS
3. Mark GASNIER
4. Darryl MILLARD
5. Colin BEST
6. Dean YOUNG
7. Ben HORNBY (c)
8. Luke BAILEY
9. Aaron GORRELL
10. Jason RYLES
11. Corey PAYNE
12. Ashton SIMS
13. Andrew PRICE

14. Justin POORE
15. Michael HENDERSON
16. Matt BICKERSTAFF
17. George NDAIRA