Strike centre Justin Hodges will make a shock return from an Achilles injury for Brisbane in their round five NRL clash against Parramatta on Friday.

Ahead of the Broncos round one match against Canterbury last month, Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin said Hodges was unlikely to return from a snapped left Achilles suffered in August last year until round 10 this season.

However, Hodges will take his place in the Broncos side for the Suncorp Stadium clash in a huge boost to Brisbane, who have enjoyed an impressive 3-1 start to the season.

The Queensland and Australian representative’s return is also good news for the Maroons as they seek their ninth successive State of Origin title with the opening interstate game in Brisbane on May 28.

Fullback Josh Dugan will be another high-profile returnee when he is named in the St George Illawarra side to face struggling South Sydney at the SCG on Saturday night.

Dugan has been sidelined since suffering a knee injury in the Dragons heavy pre-season Charity Shield loss to the Rabbitohs.

The Dragons have also begun the season well with a 3-1 start.

“To be honest, I am a little bit nervous about coming into a team that has gelled so well, after that tough loss against Souths in the Charity Shield,” Dugan said on Tuesday.

“I have been in rehab going on six weeks now, I started running about two weeks ago, I was about a few days off playing last week.

“So now I am fit and ready to go.”