NRL Early Mail round 13

Broncos ironman Andrew McCullough is set for a shock return eight weeks ahead of schedule.

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Broncos ironman Andrew McCullough is set for a shock return this weekend eight weeks ahead of schedule.

McCullough completed a skills session on Monday as he attempts to come back early from an MCL injury.

It was feared McCullough could miss as many as 12 weeks when he suffered the injury at training under a month ago.

“He is a very dedicated professional in his rehab,” said Broncos Head of Performance Paul Devlin after training this morning.

“Andrew spent three days with (rehab coach) Blake Duncan and the club physios in his time off last week.

“He trained really well and made some good progress.

“He returned to skills today and got through unscathed.

“He is progressing really well and should be available for selection this week.”

Andrew McCullough down at training a month ago. Picture: Adam Head

NRL EARLY MAIL ROUND 13

RABBITOHS V KNIGHTS

Friday, June 7, ANZ Stadium, 6:00pm

Rabbitohs: Coach Wayne Bennett has already hinted Origin players Damien Cook, Cameron Murray, Dane Gagai and Cody Walker may be rested due to a tight 48-day turnaround. “The issue is now who we rest, when we rest, and how often we back them up. This is going to go on for the next six weeks now,” Bennett said.

“I think I’ll have to (rest players). It just depends but I think I’ll have to. Damien’s going to have to play 80 minutes of Origin and then back up two days later and play 80 minutes for us? That’s not going to be feasible to think he can keep doing that for the next six weeks. The jury’s out on it at the moment. I just think I’ll have to see how they play, what the games are like, what type of mental and physical state they’re in when they come back.”

Recruit James Roberts will line up at right centre. Centre Braidon Burns (hamstring) is also gunning for a return.

South Sydney Rabbitohs player James Roberts takes part in his first team training session. Picture: AAP

South Sydney Rabbitohs player James Roberts takes part in his first team training session. Picture: AAP

Knights: Kalyn Ponga and David Klemmer are available following Origin although it’s unclear if they will be risked with the tight 48-hour turnaround. Connor Watson is again set to play hooker after filling in last match for Danny Levi (ankle), with Kurt Mann to continue at five-eighth. Mitchell Pearce (groin) is expected to overcome a minor injury.

TIGERS V RAIDERS

Friday, June 7, Bankwest Stadium, 7:55pm

Tigers: Penrith’s Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is set to sign with the Tigers in the next 48 hours, although it’s unclear if the deal will go through before the 4pm deadline on Tuesday. Josh Reynolds (knee) is gunning for a return but may make his way back through reserve grade. Moses Mbye will be named to back up despite minor injury concerns heading into Queensland camp.

Raiders: Plenty of concerns with rookie Hudson Young (suspension) out for five weeks for an eye gouge and Corey Horsburgh (elbow) out for 2-3 weeks. In positive news, Nick Cotric, Jack Wighton and Josh Papalii return from Origin duty. Jordan Rapana is also eyeing an early return from injury.

WARRIORS V STORM

Saturday, June 8, Mt Smart Stadium, 3:00pm

Warriors: Expected to welcome back Nathaniel Roache (back) and Agnatius Paasi (suspension). Paasi would come in for the injured Jazz Tevaga (ankle) on the bench. Roache replaces Karl Lawton on the interchange.

Storm: Cameron Munster, Will Chambers, Felise Kaufusi and Josh Addo-Carr are available following Origin. Christian Welch (meniscus) is getting close to a return after being cleared of an ACL injury.

SHARKS V EELS

Saturday, June 8, Shark Park, 5:30pm

Sharks: Wade Graham is on the cusp of playing his first NRL match in nine months. In a massive boost for the Sharks, Graham only needs to pass one final fitness test on Wednesday to be cleared for his co meback from a knee reconstruction against Parramatta on Saturday night at PointsBet Stadium.

Providing there is no unexpected setback over the next 24 hours, Graham will be named Tuesday in Sharks coach John Morris’ 21-man squad to tackle the Eels. Graham’s return would leave only playmaker Shaun Johnson (hamstring) and Test prop Aaron Woods (foot) unavailable for selection. Johnson is set to be held back one more week.

Full story by David Riccio

Eels: Nathan Brown (pectoral) is gunning for a return although it’s unclear where he would fit in after a long lay-off.

COWBOYS V SEA EAGLES

Saturday, June 8, 1300Smiles Stadium, 7:35pm

Cowboys: Backline players Jordan Kahu (shoulder) and Gideon Gela-Mosby (collarbone) are facing lay-offs, although Enari Tuala (quad) is due for a return. Origin players Michael Morgan and Josh McGuire are available for selection.

Sea Eagles: Tom Trbojevic (hamstring) is set to be named for a long-awaited return. Daly Cherry-Evans (ankle) has been cleared to return in Origin and should be named to back up. Kane Elgey, Lachlan Croker and Cade Cust are fighting it out for the remaining halves spot. Corey Waddell (suspension) will miss a fortnight. Lloyd Perrett is the likely replacement on the bench.

Tom Trbojevic has missed most of the season with hamstring injuries.

BRONCOS V TITANS

Sunday, June 9, Suncorp Stadium, 2:00pm

Broncos: Matt Gillett, David Fifita, Joe Ofahengaue, Corey Oates and Payne Haas would be backing up from Origin. James Segeyaro (disciplinary) is unavailable following a drink driving charge.

Broncos ironman Andrew McCullough is set to return eight weeks ahead of schedule. McCullough completed a skills session on Monday as he attempts to come back early from an MCL injury. It was feared McCullough could miss as many as 12 weeks when he suffered the injury at training under a month ago. Tom Flegler (back) is available for selection after missing the last game against the Warriors.

Titans: Jai Arrow is available after Origin duty. Michael Gordon (leg) is also set to return, likely pushing AJ Brimson to the bench.

PANTHERS V ROOSTERS

Sunday, June 9, Panthers Stadium, 4:05pm

Panthers: Origin halfback Nathan Cleary returns to Club Land with Jarome Luai the player to make way. Viliame Kikau (illness) is expected to return to his customary left edge role after a late withdrawal last week.

Roosters: Luke Keary (concussion) will miss the next few weeks. Latrell Mitchell, Brock Lamb and Lachlan Lam are the replacement options. Mitchell, James Tedesco, Boyd Cordner, Angus Crichton are backing up from Origin.

BULLDOGS V DRAGONS

Monday, June 10, ANZ Stadium, 4:00pm

Bulldogs: To come.

Dragons: Paul McGregor is set to welcome back Corey Norman (facial fracture) in place of Jai Field. NSW players Paul Vaughan and Tyson Frizell have a long turnaround and are expected to be named.