Manly's stocks are set to take another hit, with New Zealand Test forward Martin Taupau facing a three match suspension after being charged with a grade two dangerous throw charge by the NRL match review committee.
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Taupau is expected to serve his second ban since moving from Wests Tigers to the Sea Eagles this season over an ugly lifting tackle on Brisbane backrower Matt Gillett in the second half of Saturday night's 30-6 loss at Suncorp Stadium.
The Sea Eagles went into the match without fullback Brett Stewart (hamstring) and centre Steve Matai (neck), while winger Jorge Taufua is sidelined until round 15 with a broken collarbone.
Taupau will return in the same match if he pleads guilty to the grade two charge but risks an extra game on the sideline if he unsuccessfully contests the charge at the NRL judiciary on Wednesday night.
It is his third judiciary charge in the last two years, including a high tackle on Cronulla utility Jack Bird in round three which cost him a one-match suspension.
The loading from that offence means Taupau will miss three matches for the 67th minute tackle on Gillett in which the Australian Test forward landed on the back of his neck.
The pair had been involved in an altercation minutes earlier after Taupau shaped up to Broncos centre James Roberts but the Kiwi enforcer showed immediate concern for Gillett after the tackle and apologised.
Should he accept the suspension, Taupau would not be available for Manly until the round 15 clash with Gold Coast, as the Sea Eagles have a round 12 bye during the State of Origin period.
Manly coach Trent Barrett is hopeful of having Stuart back for next Saturday night's match against Cronulla after he came close to playing in Brisbane but Matai is out indefinitely due to an ongoing neck injury.
Meanwhile, Warriors centre Solomone Kata faces a one-match suspension for dangerous contact on Jamie Soward in Penrith's win in Christchurch on Saturday.
