Manly coach Des Hasler has all but confirmed Dylan Walker as their five-eighth as the Sea Eagles inch towards a return to the NRL finals series.

Youngster Cade Cust initially appeared as the club’s long-term No.6 following his emergence over a seven-game stretch between May and July.

However a concussion opened the door for Walker to show plenty of promise partnering Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves for the past fortnight.

Hasler labelled Cust a player of the future but appears set on deploying the more experienced Walker heading into the final stretch of the regular season.

While the Sea Eagles battle Newcastle in another crucial match on Saturday, Cust will turn out for feeder club Blacktown Workers in reserve grade earlier in the day.

“Cade Cust is a 20-year-old and he is still maturing and still developing,” Hasler said on Friday.

“He got a head knock there which he passed from an HIA point of view.

“But I think it’s important also that we don’t put too much pressure on these young players coming through.

“He’s going to have an outstanding future, Cade Cust. No doubt about that. But Dylan Walker, (it’s) just the opportunity to get some early ball.”

Hasler stopped short of declaring Walker as the five-eighth for the run home, saying: “He’s the five-eighth tomorrow.”

Hooker Api Koroisau is also unlikely to push his way into the line-up despite being named on the 21-man squad for the first time since major ankle surgery.

Koroisau, who is understood to have been given permission to negotiate with rival teams, hasn’t played since round 14.

“He’s close. We’ll see,” Hasler said of Koroisau’s possible return.

“But we’re not going to push it because we’re in a situation where we don’t have to put players under pressure to come back.

“And the other factor is there’s still six games of footy to be played. I think everybody recognises that the finals are the next showpiece in the game.

“Six games of footy, there’s still a long way to finals when you look at it like that.”