Lottoland surface concerns Raiders' Stuart

The Raiders lost Dunamis Lui to a torn anterior cruciate ligament at the ground last season, one of several injuries at the venue in recent years.

Sydney Roosters winger Brett Morris blamed the surface for a knee injury he suffered last month.

Canberra fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is nursing a knee injury and Stuart admitted he was worried for his players.

"It's a massive concern. We've had some poor luck there before with an ACL to Dunamis Lui and Shannon Boyd did a medial," Stuart said.

"It's a real concern for me."

An NRL pre-season game and an A-League match were abandoned at Lottoland this year due to poor pitch conditions, but the Northern Beaches Council has pledged $1.2 million to fix the surface.

The upgrade will include new turf, improved drainage and new irrigation in a bid to keep professional football being played at the historic ground.

Stuart said the surface wasn't his only concern before Sunday's round seven clash, labelling Sea Eagles halfback Daley Cherry-Evans one of the best playmakers in the game.

"He's probably the best in the competition at getting repeat sets. I've always admired Daley's ability, I thought he had an unfair tag on him in regards to Origin status," Stuart said.

"I've always seen him as a wonderful player who has had to bide his time to play Origin football.

"He's the backbone of their team and they ride on the back of Cherry-Evans.

"He's a real threat to our game."

Stuart said he won't play Nicoll-Klokstad unless he fullback is 100 per cent fit but expects the Kiwi to play and tipped Des Hasler's Manly to ensure a scrappy affair.

"They're a tough footy team. They will want to turn it into a really ugly style of game and we've got to go with it," Stuart said.

"It won't be a real attractive game of footy, we'll have to get down and dirty.

"We've just got to roll up our sleeves up and jump into it."

Australian Associated Press