Sydney Roosters skipper Anthony Minichiello has declared Sonny Bill Williams a likely starter for the Anzac Day NRL clash with St George Illawarra.

The New Zealand international was forced to miss last week’s Test match against Australia after having gel injected into his knee to help reduce the impact of a cartilage injury.

But Minichiello confirmed the star back-rower had trained on Sunday and Monday, saying he fully expected Williams to play in his first Anzac Day match.

“He had a real good session yesterday. He’s looking like he’ll take his place in the team,” Minichiello said.

“He’s been fantastic for us. A lot of people thought it would take him a couple of months to get into his groove.

“But it really only took him a couple of weeks, which is pretty impressive.”

The Roosters go into Thursday’s match as favourites, but it’s a fixture the tri-colours have not won since 2007.

Last year they they led by eight points with four minutes to go only for Matt Prior and Ben Creagh to score late tries in a remarkable comeback win for the Dragons.