Sharks set to sack Greg Bird

Former NSW and Australian five-eighth Greg Bird's career is said to be hanging by a piano wire, with reports the Cronulla Sharks are set to axe the star pivot before the end of his assault trial.

Bird, 24, faces a three-day hearing in April next year over an alleged assault on his girlfriend Kate Milligan at his Cronulla apartment in August, which left her with a fractured eye socket.

But a report in today's Australian newspaper says the Sharks are likely to fast-track their decision, as waiting until April would leave them a man down at the start of the season and unsettle their 2009 preparations.

Club boss Tony Zappa would not comment on Bird's future when contacted by the paper, only to say: At this stage no decision has been made in regard to Greg Bird.

Bird was charged with maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm after the alleged assault.

The charge was downgraded to reckless wounding in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday before Magistrate Jane Culver.

The rugby league international also faces other charges including assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and two charges of lying to police.

Police allege Bird attempted to deceive them when he claimed his flat mate Brent Watson was responsible for his girlfriend's injuries.

A separate case of common assault against Bird was also heard on Thursday at Sutherland Local Court.

He was excused from attending and the matter was adjourned for a hearing on March 13 next year at the same location.

As he left Court on Thursday, Bird showed some aggression toward the media, telling one journalist "don't touch me" when her microphone brushed against his shoulder.

Bird remains contracted to the Sharks but was stood down from playing after the alleged assault.