Latrell Mitchell has been hit by second-year syndrome after being dropped from the Sydney Roosters team for this week's NRL clash against Newcastle.
Mitchell was a notable absentee from coach Trent Robinson's 21-man selection, just days after the 19-year-old was pulled from the field late in last week's loss to Brisbane.
The club confirmed Mitchell was given the week off but in a boost for the Tricolours, forward Sio Siua Taukeiaho is a chance of making his anticipated return from a knee reconstruction.
Mitchell's axing was the major talking point in round seven teams named on Tuesday, with a number of clubs boosted by the returns of a handful of key players.
Slow-starters Penrith have made at least four changes to the side beaten by one-point by South Sydney last week, welcoming back banned trio Matt Moylan, Waqa Blake and Peta Hiku.
Injured troops Bryce Cartwright, James Fisher-Harris, and Tyrone Peachey are also back in first grade.
Melbourne will be keen to bounce back from their first loss of the year with the inclusions of key men Cameron Munster and Cheyse Blair in their 21-man squad.
Star Storm prop Jesse Bromwich was named as one of the reserves, although Will Chambers took the early guilty plea for a shoulder charge and is suspended for one match.
Struggling Gold Coast also received a lift after the Nathan Peats and Chris McQueen were named in their starting line-up.
However, coach Neil Henry confirmed that Jarryd Hayne is still three weeks away, although Kevin Proctor could return next week.
"Peatsy's been missed in the midfield so he's really keen to get out there," Henry said.
"We need those guys as well for the experience, I think that's a bit of confidence getting players back.
"He's tenacious defensively around the ruck. A bit of creativity out of dummy-half as well.
"Having the ability to have Peatsy there and maybe Karl (Lawton) off the bench in that role gives us another point of attack."
For Canterbury, injured pair David Klemmer and Brad Abbey have been replaced by Kerrod Holland and Adam Elliott in the run-on side to take on the Rabbitohs on Friday.
Brett Morris starts at fullback, Greg Eastwood at lock, and Matt Frawley is one of the reserves.
North Queensland went with the versatile Ben Hampton to deputise for the injured Johnathan Thurston, while Brisbane opted for Kodi Nikorima to fill Ben Hunt's shoes.
The Rabbitohs, Newcastle, Canberra, the Warriors, the Wests Tigers and ladder leaders St George Illawarra named unchanged squads.
The Tigers named Mitchell Moses despite speculation he is set to join the Eels after the Easter Monday showdown.
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