Cameron Ciraldo is "very confident" of retaining Jacob Preston despite the Canterbury forward's management saying talks with the NRL finals hopefuls had broken down.

Ahead of this week's crucial clash with South Sydney, second-rower Preston approached Ciraldo to reaffirm his commitment to the ninth-placed Bulldogs.

Manager Wayde Rushton this week went public with claims the Bulldogs had low-balled Preston, whom he said would be taken to market in November unless the situation improved.

Since handing Preston his NRL debut in 2023, Ciraldo has helped transform the 24-year-old from a Sydney Roosters reject to a State of Origin player of the future.

The coach had "no worries" about Preston exiting after his current contract, which runs through 2027.

"He was in my office yesterday telling me how much he loves being here, how much he's committed to the Bulldogs," Ciraldo said.

"It was probably a case of don't believe everything you read in the media."

Even in a season interrupted by injury, Preston has forged a potent combination with Lachlan Galvin on the Bulldogs' right edge.

Preston is prized by the Bulldogs for his attitude on and off the field, with Ciraldo hopeful his career was only just getting started.

"He's still below that 100-game mark and he's just understanding what it takes to become a leader of a team and a club," Ciraldo said.

"He's going to get there and he's going to get there here (at the Bulldogs), I'm very confident of that.

"We love having him here, he loves being here. It'll get sorted, it just doesn't need to go through the media."

Friday's game at Accor Stadium has significant ramifications for the finals hopes of both the Bulldogs and seventh-placed Rabbitohs.

A loss would leave the Bulldogs needing to win all three of their remaining games, including one against top-four side Penrith, to post a winning record.

If the Rabbitohs lose, they will likely need to beat at least one of top-four sides the Warriors and Sydney Roosters to finish in the top eight.

Ciraldo will not tell his playing group to treat Friday's clash like a knockout game.

"The less I say to them, the better," Ciraldo said.

"If we start thinking about winning or results or outcomes, then we're going to lose our way."

Jayden Sullivan replaces halfback Ashton Ward in Souths' starting side and will also handle goal-kicking duties given injuries to Ward, Latrell Mitchell and Jamie Humphreys.

Sullivan has kicked only six goals in 59 first-grade games and is starting for only the third time this season.

"He's spent the season on the bench, hasn't he? I gave him a special seat at one stage," said coach Wayne Bennett.

"(But) he's got a few games in the last few months. I'm confident in him."

Right winger Campbell Graham sat out of the Rabbitohs' captain's run on Wednesday but will return from a calf injury as planned.