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Edwards adds to Panthers' GF injury fears

Laine Clark and Scott BaileyAAP
Fullback Dylan Edwards is one of four Panthers racing the clock to be fit for the NRL grand final.
Camera IconFullback Dylan Edwards is one of four Panthers racing the clock to be fit for the NRL grand final. Credit: AAP

If Penrith were trying to play down injury concerns ahead of the NRL grand final, they weren't that convincing when they fronted media on Monday.

While the Panthers were quietly confident they could field a near full-strength line-up against South Sydney on Sunday, there was plenty of evidence to the contrary at their Sunshine Coast base.

Brian Too's arrival in a wheelchair was not so subtly announced by a beaming Stephen Crichton holding a blaring boom box by the injured winger's side.

Forwards Moses Leota (calf) - who missed their gutsy preliminary final win over Melbourne - and James Fisher-Harris (knee) did the rounds with their legs heavily strapped.

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And a player not even on the injury radar, fullback Dylan Edwards, was on crutches wearing a moon boot with a foot complaint he had been nursing for six weeks.

Another was conspicuous by his absence with impact forward Tevita Pangai not speaking to media after undergoing scans on the knee medial ligament injury suffered against the Storm but was spotted walking in a brace.

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While Penrith coach Ivan Cleary will be sweating on scan results for his walking wounded ahead of Tuesday's squad announcement, Panthers players didn't seem too worried when quizzed on Monday.

"It's been like this for the last four or five weeks," co-captain Isaah Yeo said.

"I can't remember the last time we had our full 17 there since Origin period with things like injuries and what not.

"It's obviously not ideal but it's something we have dealt with."

Fisher-Harris flat out dismissed any fitness fears despite appearing to aggravate his complaint against Melbourne.

"I am good, just carrying on. Honestly it is nothing," he said.

It was revealed on Monday Edwards has been on light duties for more than a month and will again be placed in cotton wool during the week after missing the first week of finals due to the complaint.

Besides Pangai, Too is another major concern despite at first appearing to be playing up for the TV cameras with his wheelchair entrance.

Too insisted he was using the wheelchair after pulling up sore in his comeback match from the injury with a stirring display against the Storm.

"The wheelchair is just a precaution, just trying not to walk on it too much," he said.

"I have pulled up 50-50 from the game. I am working with the physio, try and ice it as much as I can. Fingers crossed I will be sweet."

When pressed on his availability, Too said he had been inspired to play through the pain by Fisher-Harris who battled on against Melbourne despite being in obvious discomfort.

"I'll definitely put up my hand (to play)," he said.

"Fish has really inspired me. He reminds me that everyone has put their hand up to put their bodies on the line - that has motivated me to play my heart out."

Panthers hooker Api Koroisau kept his fingers crossed Too could ignore the pain, saying the livewire speedster helped make the difference against the Storm.

"He's an incredible player to have on the field who brings so much energy, gets our sets started - that stuff is infectious," he said.

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