Parramatta has leapt to the defence of Dylan Walker, slamming the “false rumours and innuendo” posted online about the premiership-winning player.

The Eels have opted to rest Walker for Saturday’s clash with South Sydney, giving the veteran’s body a break before the final rounds of the season.

That decision led to incorrect speculation online about the reasons for Walker’s omission. Parramatta CEO Jim Sarantinos on Thursday said the club was considering its legal options.

“The Parramatta Eels are aware of false rumours and innuendo circulating on social media about one of our players, Dylan Walker,” Sarantinos said in a statement.

“The claims are completely false and unfair on Dylan and his family.

“We should never be in a situation where a player has to defend himself against baseless online speculation. Everyone needs to understand how reckless and irresponsible this conduct is, and the real impact it has on people. We are not going to stand for it.

“The people spreading this material are not supporters or responsible journalists. Passion for the club and the game is welcome. Defamation, abuse and the deliberate spread of falsehoods are not. Dylan and his family have my full support, and the full support of the club and his teammates. We ask the media and the public to put this matter to rest.

“The club will be reviewing its legal options against those responsible for creating and spreading these false rumours.”

Walker, who will be replaced by youngster Saxon Pryke on the Eels interchange bench, will join Leeds Rhinos in the English Super League once his Parramatta contract concludes at the end of the season.

Manly won’t risk Tom Trbojevic for must-win Melbourne clash

Tom Trbojevic will miss Saturday’s trip to Perth after Manly medical staff decided the long flight risked aggravating his injured hamstring.

Trbojevic was back running in training last week and was keen to return against Melbourne after breaking down in the match against the Gold Coast Titans last month.

The Sea Eagles must beat the Storm to stay in touch with the top eight, and welcoming back their star No.1 would have been an enormous boost against a Storm side already missing some big guns including Cameron Munster and Harry Grant.

But the club’s medical staff, along with Trbojevic and coach Kieran Foran, made the call on Monday afternoon to play it safe. Adding to the club’s concern was that Trbojevic would have had to return home on a five-hour flight and potentially back up against the Dolphins at home six days later.

“We’ll hold ‘Turbo’ back another week, and the travel has a bit do to with it,” Foran said on Monday night.

“He was touch and go anyway. He’s running well, and ticking all the boxes, but the reality is it’s a risk we’re not prepared to take.

“There’s the flight, and we also come back and play the Dolphins on a Friday night. We’re pretty confident he’ll be right then. He’s close, but it’s one of these ones, based on his [hamstring] history, we can’t be short-sighted with it. We have to look after him.”

Trbojevic has suffered nine hamstring injuries the past eight seasons, but brings a presence every time he runs out in the maroon and white.

Tom’s younger brother Ben will also miss the Storm game because of concussion. Ben Trbojevic was knocked out more than 11 days ago against Cronulla, which meant he was free to return under the game’s concussion protocols, but Foran said the back-rower needed the extra recovery time having suffered several previous head knocks.

In brighter news, Manly welcome back Corey Waddell (ankle) and Brandon Wakeham (calf) for the game at HBF Park.

Meanwhile, Penrith have been dealt a blow with centre Casey McLean undergoing an operation on his hand late Monday, and will miss the next couple of weeks – games against third-laced the Warriors and second-placed Roosters. Dylan Edwards is expected to be named but unlikely to feature in Auckland on Friday. Izack Tago is expected to come into the centres.