Dylan Walker has backed fellow Manly centre Brian Kelly to rebound when he returns to the Sea Eagles' starting side in time for the finals.
Dropped two weeks ago for fellow youngster Brad Parker, Kelly has been returned to the Sea Eagles' back line for Sunday's clash with Canterbury after Parker suffered a serious knee injury last week.
Walker has made a point of seeking out 21-year-old Kelly in the past fortnight as he has spent time in reserve grade, but left certain Kelly would be ready to make his mark again when recalled to the side.
"He might've felt down but he didn't show it," Walker said.
"Brian is a cruisy sort of kid. He's real laid back and nothing fazes him.
"We spoke a lot during the pre-season because he is just a kid that wants to learn. I've been trying to give him as much as knowledge as I can."
Kelly made his debut replacing retired veteran centre Steve Matai in the centres for the opening round of the season, after moving from the Gold Coast over the summer.
He scored four tries in his first four games, before being found out in defence in the Sea Eagles' two floggings at the hands of Melbourne and St George Illawarra in the past month.
"It's pretty massive for being a first-year player coming in and debuting in the first round and playing 20-odd games," Walker said.
"He probably needed a bit of a rest just to relax a little bit and to come back in.
"He played really well on the weekend for NSW Cup. He's a classy player, he's got all the skills in the world."
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