England prop Lee Mossop will finally join Parramatta for pre-season training next week, Eels coach Brad Arthur confirmed on Friday.
A key recruit for an Eels side desperate to climb out of the NRL cellar after successive wooden spoons, Mossop was granted an extended break by Arthur after the World Cup.
The 25-year-old has been battling a niggling shoulder injury and was recently married.
“He will be here on Tuesday,” Arthur said.
“He has been jumping out of his skin to get here. He just had a few hold-ups but he will be here next week and he will be ready to go.
“You have to remember he was part of the World Cup. He is like everyone else, he has deserved a rest and all the other boys have only just come back into training that have been in the World Cup.
“It will be a little bit difficult for him … he is not going to get long to work within us but his job is pretty simple as a prop forward – just run hard and make your tackles.”
Arthur also confirmed that former Brisbane playmaker Corey Norman will be the Eels’ first choice five-eighth this season but the former Manly assistant coach has not settled on who will be his partner at halfback with Chris Sandow, Luke Kelly and Parkes Spacemen junior Toby Evans all in the running.
“Corey will be our No.6,” said Arthur, who begins his first full-time head coaching gig this season.
“(At halfback) we have been chopping and changing at training and trying a few different combinations.
“That’s what the trials will be for and the Nines (to find a No.7).”