Hayne returns for injury-hit Titans in NRL

Jarryd Hayne has been named to make his long-awaited NRL return in the Gold Coast's Saturday night clash with defending premiers Cronulla.

Officially the Hayne Plane has not been cleared for take-off.

But Gold Coast Titans coach Neil Henry is hopeful of seeing Jarryd Hayne in full flight in Saturday night's NRL clash with Cronulla.

In a shot in the arm for the injury-hit Titans, Hayne has been named as 18th man after five weeks sidelined with an ankle complaint.

Hayne will need to get through Wednesday's training session to be considered for a return.

However, Henry was keeping his fingers crossed that Hayne would get the green light to start at fullback, relegating incumbent No.1 Tyrone Roberts to the bench.

"He's hopeful of playing but he hasn't completed a training session yet," Henry said of Hayne.

"If he's keen to play and gets through some ball work tomorrow and a bit of contact he will be in the team somewhere."

Either way, the sight of Hayne running again at training has brought a welcome spring in the second last Titans' step.

"I think so. He is a key player and an experienced player - and we need experience right now," Henry said.

Henry believed he could now see the "light at the end of the tunnel" after enduring a horror injury run.

The Titans' long injury list looks set to be further lightened after Dale Copley (back), Chris Grevsmuhl (groin), Kevin Proctor (hamstring), Konrad Hurrell (calf) and Joe Greenwood (concussion) were named in the Titans' 21 for the Sharks clash.

Henry said Proctor and Hurrell were "touch and go" to play.

Meanwhile, Mitchell Moses will wait a little longer for a release to Parramatta after being named in the Wests Tigers team to take on Canterbury on Sunday.

And Moses may be joined by halves partner Luke Brooks after he was pencilled in to an extended squad.

Brooks - named in jersey No.21 - has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury in round four against Melbourne.

The Bulldogs have recalled David Klemmer (ankle).

Ladder leaders St George Illawarra have welcomed back fullback Josh Dugan (hamstring) from a fortnight on the sidelines and shifted Jason Nightingale to the wing for their ANZAC Day blockbuster against the Sydney Roosters.

The tri-colours have named damaging forward Dylan Napa (ankle) and Latrell Mitchell (rested) on an extended bench.

Penrith have named an unchanged 17 but included Bryce Cartwright (foot) in jersey No.21 for Saturday's clash with Parramatta.

Kenny Edwards returns to the Eels bench after missing the first seven rounds due to disciplinary reasons.

Brisbane have named Joe Ofahengaue for Friday night's clash with South Sydney, replacing bench forward Tevita Pangai Junior (finger, 12 weeks).

Robbie Rochow is on standby for the Rabbitohs' Sam Burgess (judiciary).

Manly named Martin Taupau (ribs) at prop and included Nate Myles on an extended bench for Friday night's clash with an unchanged Canberra.

Kalyn Ponga remains at fullback for North Queensland with Lachlan Coote (calf) still sidelined but the Cowboys welcome back Antonio Winterstein (broken arm) for Saturday's clash with Newcastle.

Centre Will Chambers returns from a shoulder charge ban for Melbourne's ANZAC Day clash with the Warriors.


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Source: AAP



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