A desperate Dragons will resist the temptation to rush captain Gareth Widdop back from injury, deciding to keep the England international on ice for an all-or-nothing final in a fortnight as the fallout from a record loss to the Bulldogs rolled on.

Retiring veteran Jason Nightingale (dislocated elbow) and centre Euan Aitken (hamstring) are certain absentees for the match against the Knights on Saturday as the sixth-placed Dragons try to sew up a home final.

Held back: Gareth Widdop won't play until the finals after dislocating his elbow earlier this month. Credit:AAP

Preparing for their first finals match since 2015, St George Illawarra are not prepared to expose Widdop to a setback given their top-four hopes were dashed in the 38-0 drubbing at the hands of Canterbury. Widdop dislocated his shoulder earlier this month.

The Dragons' bulging casualty ward could open the door for teenage prodigy Zac Lomax to feature in a revamped backline, having just extended his Dragons deal until the end of 2020.