Rabbitohs star James Roberts out of rehab, hopeful of Round 3 return

South Sydney flyer James Roberts will need to pass another COVID-19 test if he is to rejoin his teammates at training ahead of the NRL resumption on May 28th.

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James Roberts was tested again for COVID-19 and if it comes back clear he will be allowed to rejoin his teammates at training as early as today.

Roberts was hoping to train with the Rabbitohs Friday but still has to await for the results of his latest coronavirus test.

It would be a major boost for South Sydney ahead of next Friday night’s blockbuster return clash with the Sydney Roosters after the star centre was released from a rehab facility on Thursday.

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Roberts wants to play in Round 3. Picture by Phil Hillyard.

Roberts is pushing to play in the comeback clash but Bennett wants to see what condition he is in physically and mentally before committing either way.

Roberts made contact with Bennett on Thursday morning and after that the club put in a request to the NRL to have him officially cleared to rejoin his teammates.

The NRL has strict protocols in place due to isolation restrictions.

But given Roberts has also been in isolation in the rehab facility for the past two weeks Souths were confident that would speed up his clearance.

Roberts had also undergone COVID-19 testing in the rehabilitation centre.

If Roberts does play it will most likely mean Campbell Graham shifts back to the wing and Alex Johnston to the bench.

Wayne Bennett could also come under fire over the Cody Walker incident. Picture: Getty Images.

Meanwhile South Sydney five-eighth Cody Walker has been suspended for two weeks over his involvement in a street fight in his hometown of Casino last December.

Unheralded rookie recruit Troy Dargan is on standby to play at five-eighth if Walker is suspended.

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LISTEN! Adam Mobbs, Phil Rothfield and Michael Carayannis are back with The Daily Telegraph NRL Podcast to discuss the revamped draw, South Sydney’s salary cap in the wake of Greg Inglis coming out of retirement, the fallout from Cody Walker’s street fight and Wayne Bennett’s hand in the cover-up, PLUS Paul Gallen, is this comeback for real?

Originally published as Rabbitohs star James Roberts out of rehab, hopeful of Round 3 return