Penrith are confident veteran centre Dean Whare can fill the crucial fullback spot and help the club book a finals spot in Saturday’s must-win clash with Manly.

Whare will play his first NRL match since fracturing his jaw in early July following a knee injury to first-choice No.1 Dylan Edwards.

“We’ve got full confidence that he’ll do the job. He’s excited, we’re all excited. It’s a big occasion and this is what you play footy for,” star forward Trent Merrin said on Wednesday.