Eels desperate to avoid four straight losses against depleted Souths

Parramatta are unaffected by State of Origin selections and Souths are heavily depleted by injuries and representative duty but the Eels can't take anything for granted as they stare down the barrel of four straight losses.

The Eels are desperate to snap a three-game losing streak on Friday night but are wary of a depleted South Sydney outfit missing up to six frontline stars.

The top-of-the-table Rabbitohs will be without Damien Cook, Cody Walker, Cameron Murray and Dane Gagai with the quartet selected for Origin I, while Alex Johnston (knee) and Braidon Burns (hamstring) remain on the sidelines.

The Eels are the only Australian side who won't have any of players in Origin I and need a victory over the Rabbitohs to remain in the top eight following a disappointing block of results.

Their latest loss, on home turf, over 16th-placed Penrith was of most concern.

"We have to better and don't want to go on four on the trot," Eels captain Clint Gutherson said on Monday.

"We got lucky a few results went our way on the weekend to keep us in the eight but we have to get back to winning. We've only had ourselves to blame. Melbourne blew us off the park but the last two weeks in particular have been disappointing.

"Every team turns up and it's going to be a big game. Whoever steps up in their roles is going to do a good job and it's important we turn up ready to go."

Gutherson said Eels teammate Blake Ferguson had taken his non-selection for the Blues well considering his stellar displays over the past 12 months.

Ferguson was in strong form to start the season with the Blue & Gold but has struggled to make an impact to coincide with the side's form.

"He's been good, you never expect to be picked and Fergo knew that he had to do his job to get into the team," Gutherson said.

"Unfortunately for Fergo he didn't get picked but it's a good thing for us we get to have the winger back in our team. He's a big part of our team and he'll be looking to prove a point.

"It's good for us in the period, we lost three in a row and probably didn't earn it."

The Eels will train at Bankwest Stadium on Tuesday night in a bid to be better prepared for the slippery conditions the new venue delivered under lights against the Panthers.

"It was quite slippery and it showed with all the errors we had," Eels back-rower Shaun Lane said.

"We're a bit more aware of that and will get used to the conditions, we're definitely working on it."