Overnight Wrap

Out-of-favour Cronulla halfback Brett Seymour is pressing for a return to the NRL with the Sharks short on troops for Friday night's must-win home game against Manly.

Sharks coach Ricky Stuart has been left with few options but to recall the former Brisbane playmaker, who was told he was not wanted by the club earlier this year. The Sharks have been decimated by injuries and suspension with five of their first choice halves all unavailable.

Greg Bird was yesterday ruled out for up to four weeks with a broken thumb, joining Brett Kimmorley, Adam Dykes and Brett Kearney on the sidelines, while rookie Anthony Watts is facing a one-game suspension.

St George Illawarra star Mark Gasnier is set to be named to play his first game of the NRL season later today in a desperate bid to keep the Dragons' slim finals hopes alive.

Gasnier hasn't played since tearing the pectoral muscle off the bone in the pre-season Charity Shield match against South Sydney, but is expected to be rushed straight back into the starting line-up for the trip to Penrith on Saturday night.

The Dragons finals hopes hang by a thread following Sunday's demoralising 44-16 loss to the New Zealand Warriors but Gasnier's return would give the squad a massive boost.

Gasnier was slated to make a move to five-eighth this year, but given the amount of time he has been out and the form of youngster Rangi Chase in the number six jumper, he is more likely to make his return in the centres.