Initially touted as a key off-season signing, Dene Halatau will resume his Wests Tigers career on Friday battling to be a part of the club's charge up the NRL ladder.
After a poor 2013 for the Tigers, Halatau's utility value and 197 games of NRL experience were seen as a vital addition to the joint venture.
But an ankle injury suffered in a trial win over Penrith has sidelined the former Canterbury player for half the season as the Tigers emerged as unlikely finals contenders.
In that time Blake Austin has emerged as an impressive utility option and Curtis Sironen's recent return from a foot injury has also added further depth to Wests' back-row.
After struggling with injuries early in the season, the Tigers have virtually a fully fit squad and Halatau has been named on an extended bench for the round 14 match with South Sydney at ANZ Stadium on Friday.
With NSW State of Origin stars Robbie Farah and Aaron Woods absent, Halatau's versatility is of even greater importance, ahead of what could be his first game for the Tigers since 2009.
"Dene has that ability to play any position for us," Potter said
"He is a solid NRL player and he will add that little bit of experience and even though he is not as big as the Burgess boys he has definitely got some attributes, that will trouble the opposition.
"He can play hooker, lock, back-row, centre at a pinch so he is going to be a guy that might play a few positions on the night.
"He is quite capable of that and we have been slotting him in at training to accommodate that.
"He has got good footwork, he has got good vision, he will do a good job where ever he is put."
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