Sydney Roosters star Luke Keary has overcome an ongoing concussion issue and will return to face the Wests Tigers on Friday.
Keary is ready a week ahead of schedule as the premiers welcome back a wealth of NRL experience for the round 16 clash.
Keary has had two concussions this season and missed the past five weeks, having not played since round 11 with the injury that cost him a State of Origin debut for NSW.
“I don’t expect much from Luke Keary in that attack point of view where he’ll come back in and be man of the match,” former player Brett Kimmorley said on NRL.com.
“I’m excited to see him back but I think he’ll be hesitant. I think I’d be hesitant with the head knock.”
New Zealand prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (hamstring), Englishman Ryan Hall (personal) and Tonga’s Sitili Tupouniua (illness) make up a trio of returning internationals for the Roosters.
Sydney lose Boyd Cordner and James Tedesco to Blues duties, while Wests Tigers are without Queensland utility Moses Mbye.