Sydney Roosters rookie Sam Verrills insists he doesn't know if he'll take part in Saturday's NRL preliminary final with Jake Friend expected to make his long-awaited return.
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Dummy-half Friend trained with his teammates on Monday but still has tests to pass to be cleared to make his comeback after spending two months out with a fractured forearm.
The tough-as-nails hooker still has an open wound on his arm after undergoing surgery and suffering a subsequent infection.
However he resumed contact training a week-and-a-half ago in positive signs for his recovery.
Verrills has made a good account of his himself since being asked to deputise for Friend, who has spent a majority of 2019 on the sidelines after earlier suffering a torn biceps.
Coach Trent Robinson last week declined to reveal whether he would use Verrills off the bench if co-captain Friend is passed fit.
And Verrills said he didn't know where he stood heading into their bumper clash against Melbourne.
"Obviously I don't know if I'm playing yet, with Jake Friend returning," Verrills said.
"If you just said I was going to play at least one game of this year, I'd laugh at you. It's very exciting times here at the club and I'm just looking forward to it. "
Friend's teammates said on Monday that he was champing at the bit to get back on the park and had been for weeks.
"He should be close, he's getting through his training and stuff like that," playmaker Luke Keary said.
"He's got a few more things he'll have to tick off at the start of the week. It'll be good to see him back."
Whether or not Friend returns for the grand final qualifier, Keary said Verrills had proven himself a star of the future.
"He's unbelievable, nothing's fazed him," Keary said.
"He doesn't shirk any of the work, he's going to be pretty special for a long time."
Australian Associated Press
