Not even recent speculation that rival coach Paul McGregor is on shaky ground at St George Illawarra despite having them on top of the ladder for almost half the year.

"Nothing surprises me," the Wests Tigers coach said on Friday.

"You don't always laugh. But you've got to take it for what it is."

McGregor, who has one more year to go on his deal at the Dragons, was unmoved by suggestions he is on the outer because of their drastic slide down the ladder.

Trent Barrett and Wayne Bennett have already been touted as possible replacements, just weeks after McGregor was considered a contender for coach of the year honours.

"I'm comfortable," McGregor also told reporters on Friday.

"I've been one week out of the top four. It's taken three years for us to build this team. It's a team I want to coach, a team I enjoy coaching.

"We've got a football team that I think can win this competition."

After stating his intention to honour the remaining two years of his contract last week, Cleary has been criticised for refusing to answer questions about a possible return to Penrith.

He again declined to discuss the matter on Friday, saying his sole focus was on the Tigers' chances of making the finals.

That task was made more difficult on Thursday after Brisbane's win over South Sydney kept them two points ahead of the Tigers in eighth spot.

"It makes our job a little bit harder," Cleary said.

"Their win last night put a bit more of a gap between us but we do play twice before they play (again), so the ball's in our court. (But) we've got to win the first game."

While the Tigers have strung four wins in their past five, the Dragons are in danger of dropping as low as eighth after losing five of their past six.

Their losing run has critics again branding them as 'chokers'.

"There's lots of labels out there. You either read into it or you don't. We know we're going to face a pretty determined outfit tomorrow night," Cleary said.

The Tigers are also ahead on the injury front.

Cleary welcomes back Chris Lawrence (hamstring) and Mahe Fonua (arm) into his line-up, while McGregor has lost co-captain Gareth Widdop (shoulder) until the finals.

STATS THAT MATTER

* This will be only their second meeting at Leichhardt Oval, and first since 2001, with only three current Dragons having played at the suburban venue.

* Up until round 16, the Dragons were first in penalties awarded. Since then, they're last.

* A win for the Tigers would be their 12th this year - their most in a season since they last made the finals in 2011 and finished fourth.

Australian Associated Press