South Sydney Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett has stunningly admitted that almost half his team are less than 100% fit ahead of Friday night's preliminary final against the Canberra Raiders.

After news broke on Thursday afternoon that James Roberts would be out with a thumb injury, Bennett spoke to the media about the fitness of the rest of his squad.

And when asked how many of his players were fully fit for the Raiders clash, his answer was very surprising.

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"Probably 10," he said.

“Those guys can all play, it’s just that time of the year. You look at the other clubs and they have all the same problems, but they’re all manageable.

"We wouldn’t play them if they weren’t fit enough to play, but they are carrying injuries certain guys yes.

“At times we have played with 40% of our salary cap this year so it has been remarkable what they have done. It’s a credit to them."

The Rabbitohs have been dogged by injuries and suspensions throughout all of 2019 - headlined by the loss of legendary centre Greg Inglis after just two rounds.

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And one man who has emerged from the shadows and into the starting side is 24-year old front-rower Liam Knight, who Bennett was full of praise for on Thursday.

“He’s been really good for us Liam, I love working with him," he said.

"I saw him play here last year and that’s what attracted me to him, I’m pleased he came to the Rabbitohs and he was confident enough that we could help him.

"There was interest from Penrith at that stage, but he took the punt on me and the club and it’s worked out great for all of us.

The Rabbitohs will enter a hostile GIO Stadium on Friday night that is officially sold-out, and will face an uphill task against an in-form Green Machine.