Eels can win without Fui: Widders

Super-sub Dean Widders has declared Parramatta can continue its resurgence despite the likely absence of powerhouse prop Fui Fui Moi Moi for the rest of the NRL season. Moi Moi is likely to be suspended for the remainder of the season after being sent off for a high shot on opposing prop Brent Kite in his side's 31-18 win over Manly.

The New Zealand A representative will be sorely missed, as fellow Eels props Aaron Cannings, Adam Peek, Michael Vella and Justin Tsoulos are all sidelined with injury.

However, Widders believes the Eels have the depth to recover from the setback.

"We know that but we'll have someone step up from our reserve grade, we've got a lot of talented players there," Widders said.

"We know we'll need to dig a little bit extra in the next couple of weeks, we've got blokes than can do the job.

"Hindy (Nathan Hindmarsh) has been fantastic playing front row and Nathan Cayless has probably been in the form of his career.

"We'll keep stepping up and it might even mean a different style of play for us."

Moi Moi has been in devastating form during Parramatta's six-match winning streak, but a hefty suspension is likely to end his season prematurely for the second year in a row. Last year, the Parramatta cult hero was rubbed out for nine games, including the entire finals series, after a reckless challenge on Brisbane's Berrick Barnes.

"(Winning) was a good feeling, but in saying that losing Fui wasn't good," Widders said.

"We've already got five front rowers out injured in the joint at the moment.

"That's going to make it pretty tough, he's been probably our best player over the last four or five weeks.

"In this club, you've always got somebody ready to step up."

Parramatta's revival has them on the cusp of the top eight, setting up a blockbuster clash against St George Illawarra.

"That's probably one of the toughest games in the competition, they're one of the favourites to win it," Widders said.

"To come up against them next Friday night is a big game.

"The good thing is, we improved last week on the week before and this week we improved on last week.

"We'll just keep going that way.

"It's a good feeling, it's a good balance between being confident but still knowing we have a lot of work to do, a big job to do.

"We're not getting carried away."