Positive news for Marshall

Wests Tigers are expecting Benji Marshall to be fit for round one after the star five-eighth pulled up better than expected on Monday morning.

Marshall injured his ankle chasing a Robbie Farah grubber in the dying stages of the Tigers' 28-10 Foundation Cup loss to the Roosters at the SFS on Sunday.

The Kiwi limped up the tunnel for treatment, with initial reports suggesting he had damaged ligaments and could miss the season-opener against Manly.

But scans on Monday have confirmed that the injury is only a minor ligament strain.

Meanwhile, Parramatta utility Ben Smith will learn on Wednesday the full extent of a cheekbone injury suffered in the 32-12 trial loss to Penrith on Saturday night.

Smith will visit a facial specialist after undergoing CT scans, the Eels fearing he could be sidelined for several weeks with a fractured cheekbone.

Five-eighth Daniel Mortimer is also bearing the scars of a physical western derby, with 10 stitches inserted in a nasty head wound.

The 20-year-old definitely won't play in Parramatta's final trial against the Roosters on Saturday night but will be back for the start of the premiership.

The Panthers also suffered a heavy injury toll, with David Simmons (shoulder), Frank Pritchard (shoulder) and Brad Tighe (leg) all forced from the field.

The trio will miss Saturday night's trial against Newcastle in Port Macquarie.