Rugby league great Phil Gould says he wouldn’t be surprised if the Eels slip out of the top eight with injuries and suspensions plaguing Brad Arthur’s squad.

It comes as Parramatta gets ready for its most crucial clash of the season against the in-form and ninth-placed Cowboys.

North Queensland will enter as the heavily backed betting favourites, with coach Arthur missing the likes of Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Dylan Brown and Josh Hodgson. 

Gould was quizzed on whether he sees any potential changes to the current top eight, with the Eels sitting in the seventh spot courtesy of a strong for and against, and he didn’t mince his words.

“The Eels with a couple of injuries make them vulnerable,” he said.

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