NRL Late Mail round 9: Zac Lomax ahead of schedule, back in Origin frame

Zac Lomax has returned to Parramatta training and is back in contention for State of Origin, while Jack Wighton is in doubt for the Rabbitohs.

Zac Lomax has returned to Parramatta training and could be back in a fortnight, putting him back into State of Origin contention.

The centre practised separately to teammates on Wednesday as he warmed up while working towards returning from a foot injury.

Lomax took to band work for some resistance training alongside trainers before working his handy right foot with a few kicks.

He was also put to the test in the air before he moved into some running drills.

His rapid improvement comes after Lomax suffered an injury to his right foot in his side’s 23-22 win against the Dragons in Round 6 which ruled him out for six weeks.

Lomax picked up the injury earlier in the match but played on to win the game for his side with a late field goal.

The Blues winger looked like missing the first State of Origin match but an earlier return would put last year’s series winner back into the fold.

His expected return in Round 11 certainly strengthens his Origin prospects.

Eels captain Junior Paulo said Lomax had been tracking along well for his anticipated return.

“There’s no point in rushing Zac back, you want him to come back 100 percent,” Paulo said.

“With the inclusion of Zac, we’ve seen over the first couple of early games how much work he gets through, so it will be quite handy to have him back in the team.”

Zac Lomax is set to return early from a foot injury. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Lomax will be in the stands when his side opens Magic Round on Friday night against the Sharks, who suffered a golden point defeat three days ago against the Tigers.

Fresh off the bye, the Eels will hope to capitalise on Cronulla’s loss and continue their own momentum from the Easter Monday clash which saw star man Mitchell Moses return.

“I think just having the inclusion of Mitchy in our team sort of lifts the confidence of the boys,” Paulo said.

—George Al-Akiki

Wighton set to be ruled out

South Sydney star Jack Wighton is in doubt for Saturday’s match against Newcastle in Brisbane, creating a path for Englishman Lewis Dodd to enter the Rabbitohs side.

Wighton has been troubled by a hamstring injury and will face a final fitness test on Thursday.

If ruled out, which is expected, Souths coach Wayne Bennett could promote Dodd, who was initially named as a reserve, into the halves.

Should Dodd be elevated, Jayden Sullivan is tipped to move to five-eighth.

Bennett will also consider naming Josh Schuster in his squad as Wighton’s replacement.

Schuster has been playing NSW Cup after an injury-riddled start to the season.

Wighton’s likely absence would mean Bennett will also need to find a new skipper.

Forward Jai Arrow would be a candidate.

Souths are already without Latrell Mitchell, who is serving a one-game suspension.

—Dean Ritchie

Originally published as NRL Late Mail round 9: Zac Lomax ahead of schedule, back in Origin frame