McInnes joins Dufty and Sims in Dragons' Nines casualty ward

Dragons captain Cameron McInnes has been added to horror injury list that already features broken bones for Matt Dufty and Korbin Sims from St George Illawarra's run to the NRL Nines final.

McInnes is feared to have suffered a medial collateral injury in their 23-14 loss to North Queensland, and will undergo scans when the squad returns to Sydney.

Dufty (fractured cheekbone) has also been cleared to fly on Sunday according to the Dragons after initially facing either an extended stay in Perth or a 70-hour train ride home due to the effect cabin pressure in a plane could have on his injury.

Both he and Sims are expected to miss the early rounds of football after the latter re-broke the same arm that he snapped last year.

Livewire winger Cody Ramsey also suffered a shoulder injury that kept him out of the final after scoring five tries throughout the tournament.

Pocket rocket Dufty is facing six to eight weeks on the sidelines in a cruel blow a month out from round one after chasing a short kick-off against Parramatta.

Dufty, regarded as one of the smallest players in the game, put his body on the line and copped a brutal collision with Eels forward Ray Stone for his troubles.

The injury comes at a critical juncture in Dufty's career with Zac Lomax tipped to get first crack at the red-and-white No.1 jumper.

Paul McGregor made it clear last November that Lomax would be preferred at fullback to start the season over Dufty, who was told last year the Dragons would release him if he could find another club.

Dufty has vowed to stay and fight for a first grade spot with two years remaining on his contract.