Manly hopeful for jet-lagged Taupau

Manly are hoping to have Martin Taupau at their disposal for Sunday's NRL clash with Penrith despite his four-day ordeal to return to Australia.

Taupau was on Wednesday afternoon (AEST) finally on a plane and headed back to Sydney following a long and frustrating series of delays in the United States.

After turning out for New Zealand in the mid-year Test against England in Denver on Sunday morning (AEST), he was due to fly out the following day.

However after being held up by an electrical storm and having a flight cancelled due to mechanical issues, he was finally on a plane home out of San Francisco and due back in Australia on Thursday morning.

Taupau is a chance to take part in Friday's captain's run in an effort to prove he is fit and ready to take on Penrith at Panthers Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

"(Taupau) will be assessed on his return by performance and medical staff before any decisions are made," Manly football operations general manager Gareth Holmes said.

After earlier expressing his frustration at the delay in getting home, Taupau on Wednesday said he was relieved.

"Well this has definitely been an experience to forget, but i am excited to say that im finally coming home after a treacherous adventure," Taupau said on Twitter.

"I must say what has made this adventure comforting is the professionalism from @NZRL_Kiwis staff and my fiance back home."

Taupau's inclusion would be a big bonus against the Panthers' pack, considered by many to be the competition benchmarks.

Meanwhile, Manly has received clearance to field hooker Manese Fainu against the Panthers on Sunday.

The Sea Eagles had hoped to play Fainu as a development player a fortnight ago against St George Illawarra however were knocked back because the NRL ruled the club had other hookers available.

However with Jackson Hastings this week departing the club and Lewis Brown (shoulder) injured, the NRL on Wednesday gave him the green light to make his first-grade debut.