Greg Inglis has been named to make his NRL return for South Sydney against Cronulla on Saturday night.
Inglis has missed three games due to suspension for a shoulder charge on Dean Young in the Rabbitohs’ win over St George Illawarra late last month.
The champion fullback’s return will give Souths a much-needed boost after they were outclassed by Manly last Friday.
Issac Luke returns to the starting team at hooker for Souths while Nathan Peats moves to a six-man bench for the Sharks clash at Toyota Stadium.
Competition leaders Canterbury also received a huge boost ahead their clash with Wests Tigers on Friday with star forwards Sam Kasiano and James Graham set to make returns from injury.
Kasiano has missed three games after suffering a cheek injury in Canterbury’s win over Manly in round 20, while Englishman Graham sat out Sunday’s win over Brisbane with a minor leg injury.
Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin dropped a selection surprise naming Josh Hoffman to make his comeback from a one-game ban on the wing with Corey Norman retaining the fullback spot against Melbourne on Friday at Suncorp Stadium.
Young winger Lachlan Maranta will return to the Queensland Cup at the weekend.
With Josh McGuire and Corey Parker and Alex Glenn still on the injured list, Brenton Gibb comes onto the bench which includes utility Luke Capewell and forwards Mitchell Dods and Dunamis Lui.
Prop Dane Tilse makes his return for Canberra who take on the Sydney Roosters at home in the early Saturday match.
Tilse was given permission to miss last week’s victory over Penrith to attend the birth of his daughter.
His return means Sam Mataora shifts to the interchange bench and Jarrad Kennedy drops out of the 17.
Gold Coast meanwhile will push Queensland State of Origin forward Nate Myles into the front-row for their clash with Parramatta on Sunday after veteran prop Luke Bailey (ruptured Achilles) had surgery on Tuesday.
The Titans will be boosted by the return to fullback of attacking spark William Zillman.
Manly centre Steve Matai (ankle) and prop Jason King (sternum) are set to come back from injury after being named for the Sea Eagles’ match with Newcastle at Brookvale on Sunday.
North Queensland will delay a decision on whether halfback Ray Thompson (shoulder), who is facing surgery at the end of the season, travels to WIN Stadium for the vital game against St George Illawarra on Monday.
Cowboys coach Neil Henry wants to check Thompson’s injury later in the week but he is confident five-eighth Johnathan Thurston and prop James Tamou are over minor injuries sustained in the club’s huge win over the Warriors last weekend.
