South Sydney co-captain Roy Asotasi is expected to make his long-awaited return to action for feeder club North Sydney on Saturday.
Asotasi was slated for a possible NRL return for the Rabbitohs against Gold Coast at Skilled Park on Sunday.
But it appears more likely he will line up for the Bears against Cronulla at North Sydney Oval on Saturday.
Asotasi has been sidelined since April with a ruptured pectoral muscle.
The New Zealand international was put through his paces in a training session at Redfern on Friday with coach Michael Maguire delighted with Asotasi’s condition.
Provided he pulls up well from the session, Asotasi will most likely turn out for Norths.
“Depending on how he goes will depend on whether he goes back to Norths and has a bit of a run just to get some time under his belt,” Maguire said.
“He’s extremely fit. He’s in great shape, so we’re looking forward to getting him back. He’s going to be a big part of what we do, going into the back end of the season.”
Second-placed Souths are chasing six straight wins for the first time since 1994 and meet a Titans team looking to cement their place in the top eight and record a fourth consecutive victory of their own.
Maguire is under no illusions about the challenge facing the Rabbitohs.
“It’s going to be a tough game,” he said.
“They’ve got a great forward pack and they’ve got some speed out wide with William Zillman running the ball back the way he has in the last few weeks. They are dangerous.”
Maguire has been particularly impressed with the form of veteran halfback Scott Prince, who orchestrated the Titans’ slashing 36-16 win over the Sydney Roosters last week.
“It’s come off the back of his strong forward pack, so I’m sure it’s going to be a real tough forward battle,” he said.
“The way Princey has been playing off the back of that I’m sure he’s going to put us under plenty of pressure at times.
“Defensively we have to make sure we’re aiming up on every player just like we did last week against the Tigers.”
Success-starved Rabbitohs fans believe this is the team to win the club its first premiership since 1971 and while there has been plenty of hype, Maguire says the high expectations are anything but a distraction.
“I think our players are handling it quiet easily. They are really enjoying the fact we’ve got so much great support behind us,” he said.
“Each week we turn up to games and the crowds are getting bigger … it’s adding to everything that we’re doing.”
“It’s building that momentum into the finals and if we can utilise that in some way then we’re in for a good time ahead.”
