South Sydney duo Dylan Walker and Luke Keary will be given a chance to make a late push for State of Origin selection after being named to play St George Illawarra in round nine of the NRL.
Former Kangaroos centre Walker and fellow NSW hopeful Keary were included in Souths coach Michael Maguire's side on Tuesday, alongside John Sutton, who is expected to finally make his return from a broken jaw suffered the last time Souths met the Dragons, back in round two.
Walker (knee) and Keary (foot) missed last week's City-Country fixture through injury but with several spots in coach Laurie Daley's NSW still wide open, the Rabbitohs pair can still force their way into the Blues side for Origin I on May 27.
The Rabbitohs will be desperate to snap a three-match losing streak, their worst slump under Maguire, against the top-of-the-table Dragons at ANZ Stadium.
The Dragons will be without fullback Josh Dugan, who injured his knee in Australia's Test loss to New Zealand on Sunday and is could miss the Origin opener.
Peter Mata'utia comes into the visitors' side for Dugan.
The Sydney Roosters welcome back Queensland back-rower Aidan Guerra and utility Mitch Aubusson for Friday night's Allianz Stadium encounter with Wests Tigers.
Lachlan Maranata returns at fullback for competition co-leaders Brisbane as they host Penrith on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.
Dave Taylor, Daniel Mortimer and Mark Ioane all return for Gold Coast in their Saturday match against Canberra in the nation's capital, with Greg Bird missing through suspension for the visitors.
Ben Barba will play fullback for Cronulla for the first time in their round nine encounter with the Warriors at Remondis Stadium on Saturday. The Warriors welcome back Konrad Hurrell.
Canterbury star Josh Morris is back from a knee injury for his first game in a month to gain some match fitness before Origin I, for the Dogs' clash with North Queensland in Townsville.
Moses Mbye comes into the Dogs side for suspended five-eighth Josh Reynolds.
"I'm pretty excited to come into the side this week, but it is tough seeing Josh struggle," Mbye said at training on Tuesday.
"Any game against Johnathan Thurston is tough one, he is a world class player and probably the best half in the game at the moment.
"So it is definitely a big task for me and the team but I am looking forward to it."
Jamie Lyon returns from injury to replace the suspended Steve Matai in Manly's side for Sunday's clash at Brookvale Oval against Newcastle. Beau Scott returns from an ankle complaint for the Knights.
Semi Radradra is back for Parramatta who host Melbourne on Sunday, with Billy Slater returning from a shoulder injury for the Storm that ruled him out of last weekend's Anzac Test.
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