Having recovered from a career-threatening neck injury, South Sydney back-rower Kyle Turner will make his NRL return this weekend.
Turner's rugby league future was at a crossroads in February after he was hospitalised after suffering a worrying spinal injury in a Paul Gallen tackle in the NRL All Stars game.
The premiership-winning forward made his comeback for the Rabbitohs' reserve grade side North Sydney two weeks ago and will make his return to the NRL off the bench against Penrith at ANZ Stadium.
Following his injury, his family expressed fears he would not play again and he underwent revolutionary surgery, which involved the removal of a bulging disc through the front of his throat that was replaced with an artificial one.
His Rabbitohs clubmates have hailed him as an inspiration after displaying perseverance in his recovery while coach Michael Maguire said it was a special moment watching him return to the field a fortnight ago in the NSW Cup.
"He's done a lot of work in the background and to see him running around ... I think all his teammates and the staff are really pleased with how he's gone and he's going to be a great addition to us," Maguire said of Turner last week.
Turner played most of last season starting in the back-row on the Rabbitohs' march to the premiership.
He faces a battle to force his way into the 13 this season with Glenn Stewart, John Sutton and Chris McQueen ahead of him in the pecking order and the Rabbitohs firing in fourth spot.
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