Well he's travelling over to perth and might end up playing.
Big guns return for NRL top eight chasers
July 24, 2012
James MacSmith and Roje Adaimy
AAP
Brett Stewart could join Billy Slater, Paul Gallen and Greg Bird in returning from injury for round 21 of the NRL as teams battling desperately for a top eight finish recall their big names.
Stewart has not been named in the Manly side to play the Warriors in Perth on Saturday night but coach Geoff Toovey confirmed on Tuesday that his superstar fullback will travel to Western Australia with the team and would be given every chance to play as he recovers from a hamstring injury sustained in round 18.
"We are going to take him over there to Western Australia and obviously treat him over there," Toovey said.
"Hopefully if he pulls up ok and is right to play we will play him."
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Slater is back from a knee injury he suffered in State of Origin II and as Melbourne look to break a four-game losing streak coach Craig Bellamy has warned his players that his fullback's return is not a panacea to the club's ills.
Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan is set to issue a similar ultimatum to his troops with captain Paul Gallen (abdominal strain) named to return alongside fellow back-rower Jeremy Smith (knee) as the Sharks look to bounce back from Sunday's thrashing to Canberra.
Stand-in Sharks skipper Wade Graham was cautious about Gallen's imminent return against Penrith, who are again without Cronulla-bound Luke Lewis who is battling a neck injury.
"It would be great to have Gal back, but it is one of those things that's hard to get a gauge on," Graham said.
"Knowing the type of player Gal is he would be doing everything to get back but he has to get it right."
The Panthers have named Lachlan Coote at five-eighth in place of the suspended Travis Burns.
Bird's return is a huge boost for Gold Coast, surprise last start winners over Brisbane, who have emerged as genuine finals contenders and face the lowly Sydney Roosters in Sydney on Friday night.
The Roosters have named NRL debutant Roger Tuivasa-Sheck on the wing in their side in just his first season of rugby league.
As expected South Sydney have named Nathan Merritt to replace suspended fullback Greg Inglis for their Sunday game against Wests Tigers with Justin Hunt moving into Merritt's wing spot.
While the injury-hit Tigers have named Curtis Sironen (shoulder), Tim Moltzen (hamstring) and Ben Murdoch-Masila (ankle) but all are considered unlikely to play.
Captain Benji Marshall (toe and thumb) will be given until the weekend to prove his fitness.
© 2012 AAP
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