Sydney Roosters co-captain Jake Friend says teammate Shaun Kenny-Dowall will return to the field when he's in the right frame of mind.
Friend on Wednesday said that Kenny-Dowall had not been stood down from NRL duties as he prepares to answer domestic violence allegations, but he wasn't mentally prepared to play last weekend.
Kenny-Dowall will face court on Thursday on 10 charges including six counts of common assault against his former partner Jessica Peris.
The 27-year-old winger was omitted from the team for Sunday's 24-0 win over the Warriors and has not been named to take on the Wests Tigers on Friday night.
Friend said it was a welfare decision and the club would welcome him back as soon as he was in a better head space.
"We haven't stood him down, it's simply because he's not right to play," Friend said.
"Once he is I'm sure he'll be straight back in our team."
Kenny-Dowall has also been granted leave by the club to spend time with family.
Friend said his teammates were worried about the 28-year-old and have offered their support.
"Shaun's health comes before football," he said.
"It's obviously a tough time for Shaun and there's no pressure from anyone here about when's he's back.
"It's more about making sure he's right and all good in himself.
"It'd be good to get Shaun back in and around training and back on the field but that'll just happen when it happens."
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