Defending champions Souths will be sweating on a few players passing fitness tests this week ahead of Sunday's qualifying semi-final against Central at Townson Oval.
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Prop Cameron King (finger), centre Tom Cronan (arm) and halfback Jason Keelan (groin) remain in doubt for the Newcastle Rugby League encounter.
King played just 10 minutes off the bench in the weekend's 18-14 last-round loss to Cessnock, leaving the field midway through the first half after sustaining the injury.
Cronan was replaced around the hour mark while Keelan returned via reserve grade having not started in firsts since the end of July with Christopher Merlo now wearing the No.7 jersey.
Lions coach Andrew Ryan said he was unsure if the trio would be out in the middle for the second-versus-third battle.
"We've got a few injuries at the moment so we'll just have to wait and see how they go," Ryan said.
Second-placed Souths, having lost five of their last seven outings, will be facing a Central side who are unbeaten in their previous six starts.
"It's going to be a tough game," Ryan said. "They are probably the form team of the competition."
Central are expected to field an unchanged squad according to Butcher Boys coach Phil Williams.
In the elimination semi-final at Maitland Sportsground on Saturday, Marco Delapena is set to replace suspended teammate Geordie Connelly in the Pickers' starting line up against Cessnock.
Meanwhile, incoming Macquarie coach Steve Kidd has re-signed hooker Liam Higgins for 2020 along with the bulk of the Scorpions' existing squad.
"He [Higgins] was the first bloke to re-sign," Kidd said.
"A good percentage have jumped back on board."
Outgoing Macquarie mentor Adam Bettridge said on Thursday he hadn't taken the vacant Maitland or Kurri coaching positions.
