Roosters backrower Boyd Cordner says he is not the ‘saviour’ for the struggling side

AS backrower Boyd Cordner closes in on his return from injury, he’s warned Roosters fans that he isn’t the struggling club’s ‘saviour’.

Boyd Cordner passes during the Sydney Roosters training session at Allianz Stadium, Moore Park.Picture Gregg Porteous

Boyd Cordner is set to make his comeback for the struggling Roosters on Monday, but just don’t call the representative back-rower “the saviour”.

Cordner is confident he will play his first game of the season against the Dragons on Anzac Day despite not being named. It will be his first appearance since rupturing a pectoral in a pre-season training drill.

The Roosters have struggled in his absence, slumping to last on the premiership ladder with just one win from their opening seven games.

While Cordner is hopeful he will play, he has distanced himself from being the player to turn the Roosters’ season around.

“I’m not coming back to be the saviour or anything like that,” Cordner said. “I’m not thinking about that, I’m just glad to be back fit, healthy and playing. Hopefully I can just contribute to the team and help the team.

“I’m trying to get back for the Monday game, the Anzac Day game. I had my sights set on that from the start.

“Everything is going well but I’ll have to get through the full week of training first with the team and pass a few fitness tests.

“If I can do that, hopefully I’ll be back for the Anzac Day game.

Boyd Cordner during the Sydney Roosters training session at Kippax Lake Oval,Moore Park.Picture Gregg Porteous

“I’m feeling pretty confident, but at the same time there is the possibility I won’t be playing on Monday.”

Cordner may be a likely inclusion but teammate Jared Waerea-Hargreaves’s return from a knee reconstruction is set to coincide with Mitchell Pearce’s comeback from suspension in round nine against the Knights.

Cordner said Pearce’s inclusion will be “enormous” as the side still eye a tilt at the finals.

“The worst thing for me being injured is having to watch footy, having to watch your team play,” Cordner said.

“Obviously it’s not the start to the year we wanted but it’s a challenge for us now and we’re looking forward to that. We’re confident in our structure and our playing group that we can turn it around. We’re looking forward to it.

“Obviously (finals football) is still a goal but at the moment we’re just worried about winning footy games.”

The injury has left Cordner with two games to push for a Kangaroos recall. He does make a timely return to keep his place in the NSW squad for a match he describes as “special”.

“Apart from semi-final football, grand finals and Origins, it’s right up there for atmosphere,” Cordner said of the Anzac Day game.

“It’s not just what it means to us players but for the whole country, it’s pretty amazing how everyone comes together for that day.

“It’s a big day for the soldiers and the people who have served our country, a great day of remembrance.”