Updated July 20, 2017 17:52:43

Photo: Daly Cherry-Evans is confident the drama at Manly will not impact the team on the field. (AAP: Paul Miller)

Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans is confident his team's finals campaign will not be derailed by the salary cap investigation, but there is concern it will damage the club's reputation.

On Wednesday, officials from the NRL's integrity unit descended on the club's headquarters at Narrabeen to begin investigating claims some players may have taken secret benefits or cash payments in breach of salary cap rules.

At a media conference before a training session today, Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans said management should be fronting the camera to answer questions about the issue.

"I understand the allegations probably directly affect the players, but I don't think we should be standing there talking about it," Cherry-Evans said.

"I think people from front office should be dealing with this in front of the cameras."

When asked if had voiced his concerns to management, Cherry Evans smiled and said: "No, but I'm sure they'll find out soon enough."

He said the players had only been told that the club was innocent, but it was a shame for Manly's reputation.

"This sort of speculation really can drag a club through the dirt and if in the end we are proven to be innocent, the damage is already done," he said.

He said the issue was not weighing on players' minds as they prepare to take on the Dragons this weekend, but there had been a few jokes about who might have received payments.

"There's a bit of a running joke at the moment, obviously mucking around saying who could it be and that sort of stuff," Cherry-Evans said.

"But again, it's all speculation so it's all a bit of a joke among the players until something is actually proven."

Photo: The Sea Eagles are still hoping to make their mark in the finals. (AAP: David Moir)

Manly's director of football Bob Fulton also issued a statement welcoming the NRL's investigation.

"The constant trial by innuendo is damaging the club and many good reputations," the statement read.

"I applaud the club for calling the NRL in to settle the allegations as quickly as possible rather than let it drag on as was the case with the so-called match fixing allegations.

"The club is happy for the NRL to review our cap compliance — we have nothing to hide."

Topics: nrl, rugby-league, sport, manly-2095, nsw, australia

First posted July 20, 2017 15:13:24