Injured NZ Warriors star Shaun Johnson has been named on an extended bench for this week's NRL clash with Brisbane Broncos at Redcliffe.
Johnson, 31, was expected to be sidelined for 3-4 weeks with a shoulder (pectoral) injury suffered in the Warriors season-opening loss to St George Dragons and has missed the last two game with the complaint.
But he is due to return to training this week and coach Nathan Brown has named him in the No.24 jersey for Saturday's fixture with the Broncos, offering some hope that he may yet take his place in the side, searching for the second win of their campaign.
Brown has had to field three different half combinations in as many matches, pairing Johnson with Kodi Nikorima against the Dragons, Ash Taylor and Chanel Harris-Tavita in a loss to Gold Coast Titans, and Nikorima and Harris-Tavita in last week's shaky victory over Wests Tigers.
Brown has made only one change to his projected matchday 17, with Bayley Sironen injured and Jack Murchie promoted into his interchange spot. The starting pack remains the same for the third consecutive week.
Warriors: 1-Reece Walsh, 2-Adam Pompey, 3-Jesse Arthars, 4-Rocco Berry, 5-Marcelo Montoya, 6-Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7-Kodi Nikorima, 8-Addin Fonua-Blake (C), 9-Wayde Egan, 10-Matt Lodge, 11-Euan Aitken, 12-Eliesa Katoa, 13-Josh Curran
Interchange: 14-Jazz Tevaga, 15-Bunty Afoa, 16-Aaron Pene, 17-Jack Murchie, 18-Taniela Otukolo, 20-Ben Murdoch-Masila, 21-Pride Petterson-Robati, 22-Valingi Kepu, 23-Junior Ratuva, 24-Shaun Johnson, 25-Edward Kosi
Join us at 5pm Saturday for live updates of the Warriors v Broncos NRL clash