Canberra star centre Joey Leilua will make an early return from a serious neck injury to take on ladder leaders Melbourne in a highly anticipated top-four NRL clash.

Leilua is the reigning Dally M centre of the year and has been named in the Raiders’ starting side for the first time since suffering a bulging disc in round seven.

In what will be his 200th NRL game, Leilua replaces rookie Bailey Simonnson who shifts to the bench as Siliva Havili drops out of the side.

New Zealand winger Jordan Rapana admits he’s been quiet without Leilua inside him and has backed his return on Saturday to reignite ‘Leipana’.

“We know what he can do in attack and we have a good combination. Hopefully, that hasn’t been lost – he’ll be a massive inclusion for the team,” Rapana said.

“He’s a skilful, big, strong, lad. He’s hard to handle so it brings a lot of second-phase footy. You need to watch him when he carries the ball, follow him and sniff around for an offload.

“Our style of football, he’s had a big part of that, playing off the cuff, getting quick play the balls and all those simple little things he does so well.

“I really look forward to playing alongside him again.”

The Raiders (third), edged by the Sydney Roosters (second) 22-18 on Sunday in a finals-like match, have lost all four games against teams above them this season.

Canberra face the Storm, Manly, Cronulla and the Warriors in a tough run home, but Rapana has refuted Phil Gould’s suggestion they can’t beat the top teams.

“Let him think what he wants; I know we’ve got a good squad here,” Rapana said.

“We’ve changed from last year – we can grind out close games. That’s been a massive difference for us this year and that’s why we’re sitting where we are on the table.

“The Roosters are no easybeats and we were in it until the 80th minute.”