Melbourne Storm captain Cameron Smith receives diagnosis after foot injury

Melbourne have received a major boost with captain Cameron Smith expected to be fit to play in Sunday's NRL clash with Cronulla.

The veteran hooker was expected to have scans on Monday amid concerns he may face an extended stint on the sidelines after limping off in Friday's loss to South Sydney.

But Storm football manager Frank Ponissi said a visit to the physiotherapist went so well that the scans were not required.

"Cameron Smith has pulled up very well since Friday night's game ... and the medical staff expect him to line up against Cronulla," Ponissi said.

"(He) didn't require scans and instead received treatment over the weekend for a tendon irritation of his big toe.

"Smith will return to training on Tuesday with his teammates as they prepare for the showdown with the Sharks."

Smith's diagnosis is a major plus for the defending champions ahead of a crucial final month of the regular season.

Now second on the ladder, the Storm's momentum was halted in their 30-20 loss that catapulted the Rabbitohs to outright first.

Cronulla's shock 33-32 defeat to the struggling Manly saw them slip to sixth and equal on points with Brisbane and the Warriors below them.

Only three wins split first and eighth place on the ladder with four rounds remaining and all are scrapping to finish in the top half of that group given no team has won the competition from outside the top four since the latest finals system was introduced in 1999.