GOOD NEWS: Roosters star set to return in huge boost; fullback dilemma at Penrith…

Knights coach Adam O’Brien has cut one of his playmakers in a desperate attempt to get their season back on track, and he has indicated that an injured star could return in time for a late-season playoff push.

Despite an injury, Tigers young gun Lachlan Galvin will face the Cowboys.

Joey Manu is likely to return from a hand injury, giving the Roosters a much-needed boost ahead of their encounter with the Dolphins.

The Sharks will be without talented winger Ronaldo Mulitalo for at least a few weeks, a major setback to their top-four chances.

Meanwhile, Ivan Cleary will have to make some tough selection decisions this week, as Penrith’s two first-choice fullbacks and leading prop are all unavailable.

Here is all of the team list news ahead of Round 22.

THURSDAY

Wests Tigers vs North Queensland Cowboys, 7.50pm AEST at Leichhardt Oval

Last week’s Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Luke Laulilii 3. Solomona Faataape 4. Starford To’a 5. Charlie Staines 6. Lachlan Galvin 9. Apisai Koroisau 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 14. Tallyn Da Silva 10. Fonua Pole 11. Reuben Porter 12. Samuela Fainu 17. Alex Twal 7. Latu Fainu 13. Isaiah Papali’i 15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Sione Fainu

Team Tips:In a post-match press conference, Coach Benji Marshall said that Starford To’a will miss another game due to a hamstring injury sustained against the Warriors. After resting, Adam Doueihi will be named to the centers. Boom youngster Lachlan Galvin did not finish the Warriors match, but is expected to play following a successful training session on Tuesday.Luke Laulilii will miss at least one game with a head injury.

Last week’s Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 5. Valentine Holmes 4. Viliami Vailea 21. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 12. Jeremiah Nanai 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Reuben Cotter 3. Jaxon Purdue 14. Sam McIntrye 15. Harrison Edwards 17. Griffin Neame

Team Tips: The Cowboys will be without co-captain Reuben Cotter due to a concussion sustained during a collision with Jesse Ramien. He has been out for 11 days as part of the concussion protocol. Sam McIntyre is anticipated to start at lock position. Jason Taumalolo had a cheekbone injury against the Sharks, thus Griffin Neame will start as prop. Murray Taulagi successfully returned from a hamstring injury in Cronulla’s triumph.

FRIDAY

New Zealand Warriors vs Parramatta Eels, 6pm AEST at Go Media Stadium

Last week’s Warriors team: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leaitaua 4. Moala Graham-Taufa 5. Edward Kosi 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Marata Niukore 12. Kurt Capwell 13. Dylan Walker 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Jackson Ford 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Leka Halasima

Team Tips:The Warriors may bring back two fullbacks in Charnze. Nicoll-Klokstad (calf) and Teaine Tuaupiki (head knock). Coach Andrew Webster faces a problem as Roger Tuivasa-Sheck leads the Warriors’ backline against the Tigers. The Warriors are undefeated this season when RTS starts at fullback. Nicoll-Klokstad has played five and eight this season, but if he returns, Tuivasa-Sheck will most likely move into the center position. Jackson Ford sustained a knee injury during a game versus the Tigers and may require time off. Marcelo Montoya, a winger, and Shaun Johnson, a halfback, are nearing their return from Achilles injuries.

Last week’s Eels team: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Jake Tago 3. Blaize Talagi 4. Will Penisini 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Daejarn Asi 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Brendan Hands 10. Wiremu Greig 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Ryan Matterson 14. Joey Lussick 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Luca Moretti 22. Dan Keir

Team Tips: The Eels gave it their all against the Storm, but they were unable to keep up in the second half.Kelma Tuilagi is expected to rejoin the team after recuperating from a thumb injury. Dan Keir, who made a strong start in the NRL, is the most probable candidate to be replaced if necessary.

Dolphins vs Sydney Roosters, 8pm AEST at HBF Park, Perth

Last week’s Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Max Plath 10. Tevita Pangai Junior 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Kenneath Bromwich 14. Josh Kerr 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 18. Sean O’Sullivan

Team Tips: Kurt Donoghoe returns to the Dolphins after serving his suspension. With Jeremy Marshall-King injured, Donoghoe may start, forcing Max Plath to lock. Otherwise, the Dolphins will start Plath at hooker, with Donoghoe coming off the bench. Wayne Bennett could make some changes to a team that failed to score a single point in the final 58 minutes of a loss to the Gold Coast.

Last week’s Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i 18. Michael Jennings 5. Dominic Young 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Victor Radley 13. Connor Watson 4. Sitili Tupouniua 15. Naufahu Whyte 16. Nat Butcher 17. Terrell May

Team Tips:Joey Manu will be named by Roosters assistant coach Justin Holbrook. ‘He still has to go through training this week, but the plan is for him to play, which is incredibly exciting for him and our club,’ Holbrook told SEN. Michael Jennings is facing a two-week suspension for a high tackle. Junior Pauga finished his four-game sentence, but his return may be delayed due to a knee ailment.

SATURDAY

Gold Coast Titans vs Brisbane Broncos, 3pm AEST at Cbus Super Stadium

Last week’s Titans team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Kieran Foran 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 16. Keenan Palasia 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 10. Erin Clark 14. Isaac Liu 15. Klese Haas 17. Josiah Pahulu

Team Tips:AJ Brimson has missed the Titans’ last two games due to a groin injury sustained in Round 10. He appeared to play well in a Round 19 win over Parramatta, but he has not appeared since. If confirmed, it’s uncertain where he’ll play as Keano Kini has excelled in the No. 1 shirt. Jaimin Jolliffe, a forward, is close to returning from a pectoral injury.

Last week’s Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ezra Mam 7 Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kobe Hetherington 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Blake Mozer 16. Xavier Willison 17. Martin Taupau 18. Corey Oates

Team Tips:Brendan Piakura was expected to play against the Dogs, but was given a week to heal from a groin injury. If all goes well, he’ll return to the starting lineup immediately away.Deine Mariner suffered a knee injury and had to leave the game against the Bulldogs. However, Kevin Walters stated that it was not serious. He may still miss some time, which means Corey Oates will return to the team.

Melbourne Storm vs St George Illawarra Dragons, 5.30pm AEST at AAMI Park

Last week’s Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Will Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Grant Anderson 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loeiro 14. Sualauvi Faalogo 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Lazarus Vaalepu 20. Cameron Munster

Team Tips:Cam Munster returned to play against the Eels after a groin injury, playing slightly over half the game. He started on the bench that night but will now move into the starting lineup.Tyran Wishart has performed well in Munster’s absence, but will most likely be on the bench.Christian Welch was expected to return from a back ailment last week, but did not play. He is in the mix.

Last week’s Dragons team: 18. Mathew Feagai 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Max Feagai 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack De Belin 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 12. Jaydn Sua 13. Tom Eisenhuth 14. Hame Sele 15. Luciano Leilua 16. Toby Couchman 17. Ben Murdoch-Masila 19. Blake Lawrie

Team Tips:Shane Flanagan will be without Mat Feagai for a week due to a head injury sustained after a tackle on Daine Laurie. Flanagan’s decision to drop Tyrell Sloan to the NSW Cup resulted in Feagai’s unexpected inclusion at fullback against the Panthers. Sloan scored a try in reserve grade, and with no clear successor, he’ll likely return to the NRL this weekend.Mikaele Ravalawa scored a try for the Dragons’ NSW Cup team and aims to keep his NRL berth. Flanagan could make many changes to the team that was defeated 46-10 by Penrith.

Cronulla Sharks vs South Sydney Rabbitohs, 7.35pm AEST at PointsBet Stadium

Last week’s Sharks team: 1. Liam Ison 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Daniel Atkinson 7. Braydon Trindall 15. Thomas Hazleton 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Siosifa Talakai 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 21. Jayden Berrell

Team Tips:Royce Hunt, like numerous Sharks teammates, struggled with illness last week and did not play against the Cowboys. Coach Craig Fitzgibbon says he healed in time to participate in the NSW Cup. He’ll most likely be back in first grade. Liam Ison, who performed well in his NRL debut, will be replaced by Will Kennedy, who returns from a one-game suspension. Craig Fitzgibbon will be without winger Ronaldo Mulitalo for a month due to a knee injury, a significant setback. Mulitalo was wearing a knee brace after the encounter with the Cowboys, where he is reported to have suffered an injury late in the game. Samuel Stonestreet, who debuted in Round 7, appears to be Mulitalo’s most likely replacement.

Last week’s Rabbitohs team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Taane Milne 4. Michael Chee Kam 5. Jacob Gagai 6. Jack Wighton 7. Cody Walker 8. Davvy Moale 9. Damien Cook 10. Sean Keppie 11. Jacob Host 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Keaon Koloamatangi 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Siliva Havili 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Liam Le Blanc

Team Tips:Captain Cam Murray returns after missing two games due to a suspension from the Origin decider incident. Rabbitohs veteran Alex Johnston ruptured his Achilles against Canberra, causing him to miss the rest of the season. Richard Kennar returns from concussion and will play center, with Taane Milne likely shifting to the wing. Cody Walker had a hip flexor injury and was unable to finish the Raiders game.