Wests Tigers utility Curtis Sironen is set to finally play his first NRL game this season against Newcastle in two weeks’ time.
Sironen made his return from a lisfranc injury suffered in February’s Auckland Nines in the Tigers’ NSW Cup win over Newcastle on Saturday.
The joint venture has a round 12 bye, and after Saturday’s loss to Brisbane coach Mick Potter indicated Sironen could finally return to the injury-hit Tigers outfit against the Knights at Hunter Stadium on June 8.
Sironen scored on his first touch in the Tigers’ 26-22 lower grade win and and set up another four-pointer in a solid display.
“He is going to play next week in state cup and we will see how he goes,” Potter said.
“If he plays very well he will come under consideration.
“I watched his game today and he was solid, so that was a good start for him.
“He has been out for about three months so it was good to see him back.”
The news is a big boost for the Tigers who have James Tedesco (ankle), Dene Halatau (ankle), James Gavet (hamstring), Liam Fulton (back), Tim Moltzen (knee) and Cory Paterson (finger) all sidelined.
The son of Tigers great Paul Sironen, Curtis re-signed with the club for three more seasons last month and is seen as one of a number of youngsters who Wests are banking their future on.
The Tigers’ controversial loss to the Broncos is likely to see them drop out of the top eight at the end of round 11.
After a promising start to the year, including impressive wins over South Sydney and Manly that had them stamped as finals contenders, the Tigers have now lost three of their past four matches, with their round 12 bye coming at a good time.