Veteran Wests Tigers backrower Chris Lawrence will make his long-awaited NRL return against Canberra on Friday night following the horror facial injuries he suffered in a freak training accident.
Lawrence hasn't played at all this year as a result of the multiple jaw, teeth, nose and eye socket fractures incurred in the pre-season collision.
He was named as part of the Tigers' 21-man squad for the Raiders game on Tuesday but coach Michael Maguire says the 30-year-old will be among the final 17 for the Bankwest Stadium clash.
"He'll be playing," Maguire told reporters on Wednesday.
"I can't wait to see him run back out there in the jersey.
"I think it's an incredible story to have see him be in the position he was way back in the pre-season to where he is now.
"It's an incredible achievement just to play and I know that he wants to get back out there with the teammates that he loves."
Lawrence began contact work in mid-May despite initially being pencilled in to come back next weekend, in round 14.
The former Test forward was stuck in New Zealand for nearly a week after the sickening collision, with teammate Ben Matulino during training in January.
"We've been talking amongst the senior players about how we want to be as a team and I think to have a guy like (Chris) back is a major boost for us," Maguire said.
"We're not happy with where we are at the moment - we want to climb up that ladder like everyone.
"We've got a high expectation of each other and what we expect and Chris will certainly help bring that this weekend."
