South Sydney Rabbitohs captain Cameron Murray cleared for Round 1, Cody Walker racing the clock

Two South Sydney superstars are set to complete miracle returns from injury to line up in the Rabbitohs’ first pre-season trial - but the news isn’t as good for Cody Walker.

Cam Murray has been cleared to take the field for South Sydney. Picture: NRL Photos

South Sydney star Cody Walker is racing the clock to be fit for Round 1 but coach Wayne Bennett is set to receive a huge boost for the season opener after skipper Cameron Murray was cleared to take the field.

It comes as star centre Campbell Graham edges closer to making a return for the Rabbitohs’ opener against the Dolphins on March 7 after a pre-season injury mishap.

It’s understood Walker suffered a calf injury at training earlier in mid-January.

The veteran playmaker had already made himself unavailable for the All Stars clash on February 15 but now is also unlikely to be available for the Rabbitohs’ trial matches against Manly and the Dragons.

It’s understood Walker has been training separately to the main squad since suffering the calf injury but will be given every opportunity to be declared fit for the Dolphins clash.

Medical staff are quietly confident Walker’s rehabilitation is tracking well.

But in a boost to South Sydney’s campaign, star forward Murray has been given the green light to line-up against Bennett’s former side the Dolphins.

Murray, who required surgery for a wrist injury suffered in Kangaroos camp, was only a 50/50 proposition to be available for the opening rounds of the season.

But the Bunnies captain has since been given the green light by medical staff.

Campbell Graham is set to return. Picture: NRL

Cody Walker is under an injury cloud. Picture: NRL

In another boost, Graham is also rated as a solid chance of taking the field against the Dolphins after suffering a broken hand at training only last week.

It’s understood Graham met with specialists last week, when it was determined the 25-year-old did not require surgery to repair his broken hand.

He was initially expected to miss between up to six weeks but avoiding going under the knife has boosted his round one chances with medical staff also confident he will be available for selection.

Graham hasn’t played for over 500 days with a sternum injury ruling out the experienced centre for the 2024 season.

If Walker does not get a clean bill of health in the coming weeks, former Wests Tigers playmaker Jayden Sullivan is believed to be the front runner to replace Walker alongside Englishman Lewis Dodd in the halves.

Bennett also has halves options in Jamie Humphreys and Jack Wighton, who is expected to start the season at centre.

Superstar fullback Latrell Mitchell’s one week ban for the white powder incident will be served in the coming All Stars match, paving the way for his Round 1 return.

Maroons forward Jai Arrow has also overcome a shoulder injury and is set to get a run in the trials ahead of the season opener.

New recruit Euan Aitken will miss the first month of the season with a pectoral issue, while star Alex Johnston is unlikely to be rushed back from an Achillies injury.

Originally published as South Sydney Rabbitohs captain Cameron Murray cleared for Round 1, Cody Walker racing the clock