Cronulla prop Jayson Bukuya is in doubt for Saturday's clash against the Parramatta Eels after being admitted to hospital with a virus which coach Shane Flanagan said has swept through the club.
Bukuya fell ill on Wednesday and was in hospital on a drip on Friday, with club officials hopeful he would recover in time to take his place at ANZ Stadium where Cronulla and Parramatta will both chase a third-straight win.
In doubt: Jayson Bukuya is battling a virus ahead of Saturday's clash with the Eels.
Photo: Daniel Munoz
The 29-year-old was absent from a media session on Wednesday as the virus began to take hold.
It is believed winger Sosaia Feki has also been battling the virus this week, which club officials say is unrelated to the skin infection that hospitalised Matt Prior before last weekend's win over the Gold Coast Titans.
Prior spent the night before the Titans game in hospital last week before checking out in the morning, and flying to Queensland to join his teammates.
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"Jayson Bukuya picked up a virus which was running through the club, he's in hospital at the moment on a drip," Flanagan said.
"It's one of these things which happens at all clubs. I'm not sure what it is with players, the fitter the are the easier it is to come down with an illess.
"He hasn't eaten for a couple of days and he's in hospital on the drip.
"It's affected a few people in the team at the start of the week.
"Matty Prior was a similar situation last week and we'll give [Bukuya] every chance to get out today and see how we wakes up tomorrow. Jayson is the only one in doubt at the moment."
International Wade Graham is expected to return from a hamstring injury to captain the Sharks against Parramatta, but veterans Paul Gallen and Luke Lewis are still sidelined.
"Gal had his first session on the grass today and ran well," Flanagan said.
"He's a chance for the week after next.
"Lewy is still a few weeks away. He would be half-way through his recovery at the moment and we'll make sure both are 100 per cent recovered."
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James Buckley writes on AFL for The Sydney Morning Herald.
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