"I've got a grade two tear of the ligament,'' Sullivan said.

The Tigers are second and in no danger of dropping out of the top two with games against Old Bar on Saturday at Wingham and Port Macquarie at Port the following weekend. Sullivan won't play in either of those encounters, however, he is determined to be right for the August 4 game at Wingham. Winner of this match will progress to the major semi-final on August 11 at Kempsey.

Sullivan has undergone physiotherapy and said he's been in this position plenty of times before. He was at home icing the injury when he spoke to the Times earlier this week.

"I'm no stranger to treating injuries,'' he said.

"I'll be doing everything possible to be right for the home semi at Wingham. I've been told the best scenario is four weeks, but I'm confident of being back in three.''

The Tigers will also be without centre Tim Bridge for tomorrow's game after he injured his knee in the clash against Taree City last weekend. Bridge isn't expected to be a long-term casualty.

Sullivan will start Kynan Budd at five-eighth against the Pirates. A newcomer this season, Budd hasn't played a lot of football because of injury. Better known as a backrower, Sullivan said Budd will handle six.

"He's played there before and also five half at rugby,'' Sullivan said.

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Tigers outclass Taree City

"We haven't seen the best of Buddie here. He was a late signing and then he was injured, but I know what he is capable of doing.''

Brodie Myer returns to the centre, where he'll partner Kurt Lewis, who made a successful return from a broken hand last week. Nathan Maher shifts to the wing. Skipper Danny Russell moves from pivot to halfback to cover for Sullivan.

Second rower Tim Watson is available this week and there'll be a reshuffle in the forwards, although Jake Wheeler looks set to retain his spot in the starting 13.

Representative second rower Jake Mullen will miss one more week as he recovers from a shoulder injury.