He's never played a game in the NRL without him, but South Sydney's Adam Reynolds says he won't be affected by the absence of halves partner John Sutton against Melbourne on Friday.
The 23-year-old is widely tipped to become the NSW halfback in 2014 and will get the opportunity to show he can shine on the big stage when Souths take on the premiers at AAMI Park.
Sutton will be replaced at five-eighth by former Australian schoolboys rugby international Luke Keary and Reynolds believes the 21-year-old, who has played five games off the bench this year, is tailor-made for the NRL.
"I don't think there is any extra on me at all with 'Sutto' being out," Reynolds said.
"It comes down to doing my job and sticking to the game plan for 80 minutes.
"Luke's a very confident young player and he's shown he has the quality to be a NRL half," Reynolds said.
"He just needs to turn up and back himself and he'll go alright."
The Wests Tigers have named Benji Marshall in their side to face fellow strugglers Parramatta on Friday but their torturous run with injuries has continued with representative pair Chris Lawrence and Aaron Woods ruled out for the season.
Former Test centre Lawrence will undergo surgery on an ankle injury and NSW prop Woods will remain on the sidelines until the start of next year due to a knee problem.
The pair join an already lengthy injury list that includes skipper Robbie Farah (hand), hooker Masada Iosefa (arm) in addition to long-term absentees Joel Reddy (groin) and Tim Moltzen (knee).
That poor run has also handed Joel Luani a debut at hooker in place of Farah.
"Joel has done enough to be the number one contender for the hooking role seeing as Robbie is out," said Tigers coach Mick Potter.
"He's been playing a lot of minutes in NSW Cup and doing a good job for the team. Joel deserves a chance with Masada Iosefa out."
Parramatta co-captain Jarryd Hayne will play for the first time since round 13, when he tore his hamstring playing for the Eels less than 48 hours after NSW's Origin I win.
Blake Ferguson will return to the NRL for the first time since June 15 when he lines up in the centres in the Raiders' match against ladder-leaders Sydney Roosters on Saturday night.
He was stood down by the league after a late night drinking session with former teammate Josh Dugan as the pair celebrated their inclusion in the NSW team for Origin II.
Ferguson was charged with assault following an incident with a female patron at a Cronulla nightspot on the night in question, with the matter still before the courts.
He is the only change to a Canberra side still smarting from the record-breaking 68-4 loss to Melbourne last Sunday, with winger Reece Robinson relegated to 18th man duties.
Sydney Roosters skipper Anthony Minichiello has been ruled out for the clash with Canberra after hyper-extending his knee against Penrith last Friday.
Roger Tuivasa-Shek will shift to the fullback with Shaun Kenny-Dowall moving to the wing and Mitch Aubusson into the centres.
