Parramatta look set to be without Maika Sivo to start the NRL season, with the Eels winger facing a three-game ban.
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The Fijian flyer was hit with a grade-two careless high-tackle charge following their trial win over the Gold Coast Titans on Sunday.
Owing to his prior misdemeanours, the challenge on AJ Brimson means Sivo will be sidelined for three matches with an early guilty plea.
Parramatta are deliberating whether to challenge the charge against Sivo and will make a decision by noon on Tuesday.
Should the Eels winger opt to fight it at the judiciary and lose he will be handed an additional one-game suspension.
The disciplinary hit is a blow for Parramatta, who failed to make the finals last year and had several players sidelined with suspension throughout the season.
Canberra youngster Ethan Strange will be clear to play in round one, escaping with a $1000 fine for a dangerous throw on North Queensland prop Tom Mikaele.
Strange is one of the contenders to fill Jack Wighton's five-eighth role when the Raiders kick off their season against Newcastle next week.
Australian Associated Press
