Thaiday &
Head out

Milton Thaiday's Queensland Origin dream is all-but over for 2006 with the Newcastle fullback likely facing six weeks on the NRL sidelines with an ankle injury.

Thaiday suffered significant ligament damage to his ankle in the Knights 24-18 win over South Sydney on Sunday and will see a specialist today to determine whether it requires surgery. Meanwhile, St George Illawarra halfback Mathew Head will visit a specialist on Wednesday to determine the extent of his knee strain, but the Dragons have already ruled out the playmaker from Sunday's grudge-match with Cronulla.

Team mate Luke Bailey will nurse knee and rib injuries for the next two weeks, but is also facing two charges at the NRL judiciary. The news was better for Manly hooker Michael Monaghan, the former Sea Eagles skipper cleared of a broken hand after scans yesterday.

And Cronulla prop Ben Ross will be out for the season after scans confirmed he tore his anterior cruciate ligament during Friday's 40-12 victory over Penrith.