Cronulla skipper Paul Gallen will be given until game day to prove his fitness although coach Shane Flanagan is confident he will play against Penrith on Saturday.
The Sharks’ workhorse has been sidelined with an abdominal strain and knee injury since round 13 and only began running again on Monday.
His return will provide a much-needed boost for a struggling Sharks outfit, free-falling from third to sixth on the NRL ladder in the past three weeks after back-to-back losses and a draw.
Flanagan said Gallen had markedly improved during the week and showed a lot of promise ahead of Saturday night’s game against the Panthers at Toyota Stadium.
“He trained well yesterday, he’ll train again tonight and the day after tomorrow – he’ll be fine by the weekend,” Flanagan said on Wednesday.
“We’ll wait until the weekend (to make the final call), but he’s taken all the right steps for his first week back. So, I’m expecting him to play – yes.”
Second-rower Jeremy Smith will also make a return from a knee injury against the Panthers, with Flanagan confirming he’s “ready to go”.
“I’ve been wanting to name them (Gallen and Smith) in that team sheet for a couple of weeks and, after the last couple of weeks’ results, it was much needed to get them back.
“It’ll give us a bit of resolve and some leadership in important times during games.”
Although it’s good news for Smith on field, his future at the Sharks remains unclear.
The back-rower dismissed as rumours the suggestion that he had made a deal with Newcastle despite being contracted with the Sharks until the end of 2013.
“It’s out of my hands,” he said.
“I’m here to play football, I’ve still got another year here and we just have to see what happens.”
Flanagan also brushed off the suggestion that Smith might be heading to Newcastle, saying if had signed with the Knights, he’d be in breach of his contract.
“There’s always speculation in rugby league,” the coach said.
“We’re dealing with some personal issues with Jeremy and Jeremy will show on the weekend what sort of football player he is – he’s a professional and he’ll turn up and play for the Sharks on the weekend.”