Star centre Jamal Idris is a surprise inclusion in Penrith's side for their final NRL trial match against Parramatta on Saturday, in his return from spinal surgery.
Idris underwent surgery last month and was expected to miss the opening of the NRL season.
However the 24-year-old has been included in coach Ivan Cleary's side, named on Friday, for the hitout against the Eels at the Panthers' newly renamed home ground Pepper Stadium.
Sam McKendry (shoulder, ankle) and Dave Simmons (knee) will also return from injury for their first games of the year.
George Jennings, Sydney Roosters centre Michael's younger brother, has been named on the wing, in an indication he is likely to slot into Kangaroo winger Josh Mansour's slot for the Panthers' opening NRL game against Canterbury on March 8
Mansour is currently struggling to overcome a knee injury.
Key recruit Apisai Koroisau has been named on the bench as the back-up hooker to starting rake James Segeyaro.
Panthers: Matt Moylan, George Jennings, Dean Whare, Jamal Idris, Dave Simmons, Jamie Soward, Peter Wallace, Jeremy Latimore, James Segeyaro, Sam Mckendry, Bryce Cartwright, Lewis Brown, Elijah Taylor. Interchange: Apisai Koroisau, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Murdoch-Masila, Brent Kite, Sika Manu, Robert Jennings.
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