Kenny-Dowall back at Roosters training

Centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall will make his full return to Sydney Roosters training on Thursday as he continues his recovery from a broken jaw suffered in last year’s grand final.

In scenes reminiscent of South Sydney great John Sattler in the 1970 decider, Kenny-Dowall played the majority of the Roosters 26-18 victory over Manly with a broken jaw and played a starring role in the Tricolours’ epic win.

The Kiwi representative scored the converted try that put the Roosters ahead midway through the second half and after that point they were never headed.

Kenny-Dowall underwent surgery in the week after the grand final last October and coach Trent Robinson said he was only given the go-ahead to resume full contract training with the rest of the Roosters first grade squad on Wednesday.

“He has recovered well, he has looked after himself and he will start full contact training on Thursday,” Robinson told AAP.

“I think he has fudged that a bit already. He has been already getting into a bit of it but we will be stepping that up. He has got the medical tick off and he is ready to go.”

Robinson said Kenny-Dowall was likely to be fit for the Roosters’ World Club Challenge match against Wigan at Allianz Stadium on February 22.

“He is tracking well and we are confident he will be right for that,” Robinson said.

“It has been a good recovery and barring any eventualities he is ready to go and should be right for the World Club Challenge.

Robinson is hopeful 16 of the 17 Roosters players who played in the club’s 13th title win against the Sea Eagles will be fit for the match with Wigan.

Retired forward Luke O’Donnell is likely to be the only player from that match to miss the fixture against Wigan.

His replacement is likely to come from hard-hitting youngster and Under-20s Queensland Origin representative Dylan Napa, former Junior Kangaroo Kane Evans or French recruit Remi Casty.

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