International Winger of the Year Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is set for a surprise return from injury for the Sydney Roosters in the World Club Challenge.

The Kiwi representative suffered a leg injury early in the final of the World Cup in November, leaving his fitness for the start of the 2014 season in doubt.

But Roosters coach Trent Robinson is confident the Dally M Winger of the Year will take his place in the NRL premiers’ side for their February 22 showdown against Super League champions Wigan at Allianz Stadium.

“He is on track to play,” Robinson told AAP.

“The leg is recovering well, and if his progressions go well enough he will be ready for that.”

Tuivasa-Sheck, 20, who enjoyed a breakout year in 2013 culminating in his selection in the World XIII, won’t play in the Auckland Nines on February 15 and 16.

However, he may take part in a Roosters trial against Newcastle slated for the same weekend as Robinson attempts to juggle multiple demands with the best preparation for the Wigan clash.

Centre three-quarter Shaun Kenny-Dowall is set to line up alongside Tuivasa-Sheck against Wigan in a Roosters side that could only be missing the retired Luke O’Donnell from their grand final winning outfit.

Kenny-Dowall has begun contact training after recovering from a broken jaw suffered in last season’s grand final against Manly and will play in the Nines.

“The Nines is not ideal preparation for the World Club Challenge,” Kenny-Dowall said.

“But we have been training for 10 weeks and we have been thinking about the World Club Challenge and preparing for that and we have a week after that to prepare to play Wigan.

“So there are no excuses.”