Canberra’s young forwards accept their place in Friday night’s NRL clash with Manly are under threat, with Junior Paulo a chance to make his Raiders debut.

The Raiders are hopeful Paulo’s contract for the rest of the season will be approved by the NRL on Monday afternoon or Tuesday, after Parramatta granted the 22-year-old a release on Sunday.

Young Raiders forwards Luke Bateman and Joseph Tapine, who impressed in Sunday’s come-from-behind 32-20 win over Canterbury, say Paulo’s arrival puts added pressure on them to hold their places in the side.