Maitua gone with knee injury

The Bulldogs have received a blow ahead of the finals with lock Reni Maitua today ruled out for up to two weeks with a knee injury.

MRI scans have revealed Maitua suffered a meniscul tear in his left knee and he's certain to miss Saturday night's qualifying final against Canberra at Telstra Stadium. Bulldogs officials says the injury is less serious than a ligament tear and he should return in the second half of the finals.

Maitua is the third Bulldog to be struck down by a knee injury in the past month and joins prop Roy Asotasi and centre Willie Tonga on the sidelines. Tonga won't return in 2006 but Asotasi could make a comeback if the Bulldogs reach the grand final.