James Maloney will return a week ahead of schedule from a knee injury to try to ease Penrith back into form in their final-round clash with Melbourne.
Winless since Maloney was sidelined a fortnight ago for what was expected to be the rest of the regular season, Friday's heavyweight clash shapes as a pivotal one in the Panthers season.
An upset victory in Melbourne - where they haven't won since 2005 - could potentially even catapult them back into the NRL's top four if big results go in their favour this weekend.
However it's far more likely they will be off to Brisbane or Auckland for an elimination final if they lose, and slip into the top-eight's bottom two after dropping six of their last 10 matches.
In further good news for the Panthers, Wayde Egan is expected to overcome a knee problem of his own and play hooker, after he was named in the No.9 jersey.
Tyrone Peachey will shift to the centres and replace Dean Whare, whose season was ended by a broken arm in last week's loss to the Warriors.
Elsewhere, former Panther Matt Moylan will also return from a leg injury for Cronulla against Canterbury on Sunday as they look to shore up their spot in the top four.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is also back from a rib injury for the Roosters, brought into the starting front row as a direct replacement for Dylan Napa who is suspended for three games.
South Sydney will also welcome back winger Robert Jennings from a hamstring injury, after it had been previously feared he'd miss the rest of the season.
But it's about there where the good news stops for top-eight teams.
St George Illawarra have confirmed Gareth Widdop won't be back from a shoulder injury, opting to wait until the finals to bring their five-eighth into the action.
Zac Lomax will come into the centres for the Dragons against Newcastle on Saturday while Jai Field is recalled on the bench thanks to injuries to Euan Aitken and Jason Nightingale.
Andrew McCullough will miss Brisbane's clash with Manly following last week's brutal knock out from Napa, leaving rookie Jake Turpin to replace him at hooker.
Jack Bird is also a surprise inclusion on an extended bench for the Broncos, having not figured since round 10 after undergoing sternum surgery.
Bird is back running at training but was initially not expected to play again this year.
Meanwhile the Warriors will still be without Blake Green against Canberra on Friday night as he recovers from a calf complaint.
