With the Melbourne Storm’s Origin stars bruised and battered, five-eighth Ben Hampton knows he needs to step up in their NRL clash with Parramatta.

Craig Bellamy’s team have a chance to climb back into the top eight with a win at AAMI Park on Sunday afternoon and go level with the Eels on 18 points.

Billy Slater, Cameron Smith and Ryan Hoffman have been included in the Storm’s line-up with NSW superstar Jarryd Hayne, as well as Will Hopoate in for the visitors.

Hopoate wasn’t expected to play after damaging his shoulder in the Blues’ drought-breaking victory but the Eels said the centre had travelled with the team and was expected to play.

With playmaker Cooper Cronk still sidelined with a broken arm Hampton said the responsibility fell to he and No.7 Ben Roberts to rally the troops.

The pair were integral in the Storm’s hard-fought win over Gold Coast last round and Hampton said their partnership continued to grow.

“We’ve really only had two games when we’ve had full games together so it’s been difficult to try and get our combination going,” Hampton said.

“We’ve been working really hard on that at the moment during this week and trying to get the best out of the partnership that we can for the team.”

The 22-year-old was Bellamy’s first choice to replace Gareth Widdop, who left for the Dragons, but hasn’t really cemented the role.

Hampton was still dirty at himself for a two-week suspension in round nine for a high tackle.

“I was really, really disappointed that I wasn’t able to play because I was on a high with the way that the team and I went against Manly,” he said.

“I’ve had to work pretty hard to get back in there and I’m still working really hard to try and stay in there.”

While the clash between star fullbacks Slater and Hayne is always a drawcard when the teams meet, Hampton felt the forward battle would be key.

The Eels’ last win in Melbourne was back in 2005 and their last two results have been seen them concede 102 points against just four.

“They’ve turned around the troubles they’ve had there and they’ve got a lot of really big boys in the forwards and in the edges and that will be a big focus for us,” Hampton said.

Will Chambers, who cut his leg against the Titans, is the Storm’s only injury concern with a decision to be made on whether the centre will play on game day.