Canberra are set to be boosted by the return of lock Shaun Fensom for Sunday’s NRL clash with Cronulla, following a five-week lay-off with a torn bicep.

But the Raiders are unlikely to welcome back Josh Dugan, despite hopes he was due to make an early return from a shoulder injury.

Coach David Furner has made a number of changes to his team to face the Sharks, with Sam Williams named in the halves alongside Josh McCrone following the season-ending injury to skipper Terry Campese.

Furner has also named rookie Matt McIlwrick in his 18-man squad to replace Travis Waddell as backup hooker, with Waddell to play for feeder club, Mounties.

Raiders: Reece Robinson, Blake Ferguson, Jarrod Croker, Shaun Berrigan, Jack Wighton, Josh McCrone, Sam Williams, David Shillington (capt), Glen Buttriss, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Josh Papalii, Bronson Harrison, Shaun Fensom. Interchange: Matt McIlwrick, Joel Thompson, Sam Mataora, Dane Tilse, Joe Picker.