The Sharks have been hit by a fresh backline injury setback with fullback Matt Moylan sustaining a calf injury and looking at missing up to the opening month of the new NRL season.

The Moylan injury adds a further layer of complexity to the Josh Morris situation with the representative centre still continuing to push for a release to join back-to-back premiers Sydney Roosters on a daily basis.

While the Roosters are angling for Morris to be released at the latest after round one, the new injury setback to Moylan means the Sharks backline stocks are being stretched to the extreme.

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Round 19

Cronulla also has to contend with a tough opening five weeks of the season facing games against South Sydney, Melbourne, Newcastle, Canterbury-Bankstown and premiers the Roosters.

As much as the Sharks are facing a salary cap conundrum and need to release Morris in order to be cap compliant by June 30, there is a reluctance to release him before Cronulla has faced the Roosters.

So Morris may not be given permission to join the Roosters until after round five. The Roosters have offered a $100,000 transfer fee to make the deal happen immediately but the Sharks are baulking given their shortage in the outside backs.

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Moylan’s recent injury history has become a huge conundrum for the club given the one-time NSW and Australian player only managed 11 NRL matches for the club last year.

Four hamstring injuries on the same leg meant the Sharks were way off getting value for money on their investment last season.

Moylan’s latest injury is a setback to the same calf he strained prior to Christmas and needed to rehabilitate.

The best case scenario is Moylan could be back for the round three clash against Newcastle and the worst case is he may not be available until round five against the Chooks.

Given Bronson Xerri is also racing the clock for Round 1 after off season shoulder surgery and Josh Dugan remains in Cronulla’s rehabilitation squad, it’s a tricky scenario for Sharks coach John Morris.

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The Dugan situation is no clearer. He’s had all the independent tests and scans and been cleared to resume training. The doctors report says there’s no surgery required on the knee injury he hoped could have allowed him to be medically retired.

With no Moylan and at some point no Morris, the Sharks are going to need the experience of Dugan more than ever.