St George Illawarra skipper Ben Hunt is eyeing an early return to the field after just three weeks sidelined with a broken leg.
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The toughness of the Dragons halfback stood out in a 38-12 win over Manly in round three, when he played through the pain of a fractured fibula thinking it was a corked muscle.
But after a short recovery Hunt is in line for a return a week earlier than expected, against Sydney Roosters in Sunday's Anzac Day clash at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
"He's been training, he's been running, he ran yesterday," said Hunt's halves partner Corey Norman.
"He said it feels pretty good and if he's right it'll be a good inclusion.
"He was in terrific form before he broke his leg so as long as we're all doing our job it makes it a lot easier for Benny as well.
"If he's back playing we're looking forward to it."
Following Sunday's 20-14 loss to the Warriors, coach Anthony Griffin said Hunt was "a chance, but not a strong chance" to feature against the Roosters.
However, it is expected the 31-year-old will be named as part of the 21-man squad on Tuesday afternoon and given until later this week to prove his fitness to play on Sunday.
In contrast to Hunt's bravery, Norman has labelled himself "a little sook" after being cleared of a shoulder injury he suffered on Sunday.
"It was a grade three carry on I think," he said. "I got the scan yesterday and it wasn't too much. I'll be right, I'll be sweet."
The inclusion of Hunt would be a huge coup for the Dragons who face an undermanned Roosters side in Sunday's clash.
The Roosters are in the midst of an injury crisis which was worsened with injuries to Siosiua Taukeiaho and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves in last week's loss to Melbourne.
Regardless, Norman said he is looking forward to taking to the field for Sunday's clash amid the wider significance of Anzac Day.
"We all get to show our respects for past and present soldiers doing their things so we can live in this beautiful country," he said.
"It's definitely a big game and everyone looks forward to it.
"I've only played in one (in 2019) and it was one of the best games I've played in."
Meanwhile, Angus Crichton swapped rugby union for the 13-man game years ago and hopes All Blacks ace TJ Perenara makes the same choice this year.
Sydney Roosters second-rower Crichton has backed the Kiwi half to be a success in the NRL if the club is able to recruit the 29-year-old when his deal with Japanese rugby ends next month.
Crichton was a Australian Schoolboys rugby star before he signed with South Sydney as a 19-year-old in 2015.
On Tuesday he backed the Roosters' surprise plan to transform Perenara - a veteran of 69 Tests for the All Blacks - into a No.9 replacement for Jake Friend.
"I'm a rugby fan and to have an All Black come into our team would be pretty cool," Crichton said.
Perenara could be set to join them in June if he decides to make the switch. AAP
