Hopoate to miss a month

The fact that John Hopoate was sin-binned for dissent during last Sunday?s match against the New Zealand Warriors has nothing to do with him being ruled out football for the next month, according to Manly officials.

Hopoate was sent to the sin bin for ten minutes late in Sunday?s game after allegedly insulting referee Paul Simpkins twice, apparently asking him if he became a referee because he lacked playing ability.

But his disciplinary problems ? which have been well documented in the past ? have nothing to do with his time on the sideline, with the club claiming that Hopoate needs to regain match fitness before he returns to top level football.

"The decision to train and not play for a month has nothing to do with the media criticism of Hopoate's sin binning by referee Paul Simpkins late in Sunday's match against the New Zealand Warriors at Brookvale Oval,? the club said in a statement this afternoon.

"Hopoate broke his leg in a premiership match against Parramatta at Parramatta Stadium last July and has worked hard in the off season to regain full fitness.

"His weight is the lightest he has been for several seasons but his speed has declined and that is the area which will be worked on during the next month."

Manly haven?t confirmed why Hopoate wasn?t dropped before now if his fitness has been a concern for some time.

?After discussions with coach Des Hasler and with consultation with the club doctor, it was agreed that Hopoate needed to do specific work on his injured leg to have him ready to play NRL,? the statement said.

Meanwhile, Manly will be without promising prop Jason King for the rest of the season due to a foot injury.

?Jason has trained his heart out - he played strongly in his return match and was looking forward to a successful season,? coach Des Hasler says.

"The side will feel his loss. He has size and speed and is one of the most talented young forwards in the premiership. We were counting on him being with us in our campaign but we have no choice now to go it without him.

"Once he has his foot placed in a cast we want him around the side in some role - he is a popular member of the side.?

Manly play the Bulldogs, a club with their own problems, on Sunday.

On top of sexual assault allegations against the club, drug issues and crowd problems, it is now feared that CEO Malcolm Noad may not have the respect of the players. It?s understood that immediately after Noad addressed the club?s players yesterday, one kicked a ball into the waiting media scrum.