Norman was dropped ahead of last week's loss to the Roosters amid reports the club has been trying to off-load it's second-highest paid star. Talk of a potential player swap with former skipper Gareth Widdop, currently with Warrington, has since been hosed down but Norman was thought to be on the outer.

Fans have been clamouring for young-gun Tristan Sailor to be given an 80-minute crack in the halves after showing positive glimpses in the last fortnight but he has been retained on the bench.

It will see Norman partner Adam Clune in the halves, with Ben Hunt shifting to hooker and Cam McInnes moving back to lock in the absence of suspended youngster Jackson Ford.

It comes amid renewed speculation that McGregor will be axed, possibly following the Eels match, with CEO Ryan Webb stating that the coaching position will be on the table for review at next Tuesday's board meeting.

The Dragons need to win virtually every remaining game to make the finals, which could become a moot point should they fall to the Eels.

Assistant coach Dean Young is tipped to take over in an interim role should the axe fall on McGregor, with assistance from Shane Flanagan.

The club is expected to sound out the NRL about the possibility of Flanagan - currently barred from any head caching role until 2022 - being shown some leniency with a view to next season.

The Dragons heavily-discussed selection committee was forced into some other changes, with Paul Vaughan still in NRL-imposed quarantine after breaching biosecurity protocols on the day of the Roosters match.

Jackson Ford was also ruled out after taking the early guilty plea to a tripping charge that will keep him out of two matches, while Tariq Sims is nursing an AC joint injury.

It sees Tyrell Fuimaono shift to the starting line-up while Korbin Sims has earned his own recall on the bench alongside Jacob Host. Veteran middle Trent Merrin was left out of the squad altogether.