Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has revealed he isn't expecting back-rower Scott Sorensen to be fit to play in Saturday night's preliminary final against the Sharks, despite naming him in his extended squad. Sorensen has been an integral part of the Penrith juggernaut that has won three-straight NRL premierships. But the back-rower has endured an injury-plagued year and tweaked his hamstring in Round 23 against Parramatta. Sorensen has named in the reserves by Cleary on Tuesday, but the coach admitted on Thursday he probably won't be ready. stages but there's a fair bit tonight that he'll need to do. At this stage we feel like he can, but doing it is another thing. If he's going to play then he's got to be able to play." It would be a big blow to the Panthers if Sorensen can't play due to his vast experience in big games. When filly-fit he starts in the second row alongside Liam Martin, but Cleary has been forced to lean on the likes of Luke Garner, Lindsay Smith and Matt Eisenhuth in his absence. "He's had a pretty frustrating year," Cleary said about Sorensen. "He's very important for us and we'd love to have him out there so we'll see what we can do."
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