Captain Jamie Lyon will make an earlier than anticipated return from injury for Manly in their round 15 NRL clash with Gold Coast.

Lyon’s return, alongside the suspended Martin Taupau, is a massive boost for the struggling Sea Eagles as they attempt to keep their flagging finals hopes alive.

Lyon was expected to miss at least a fortnight due to an ankle injury, but has missed only injury-hit Manly’s last-start loss to Penrith.