Parramatta enforcer Nathan Cayless had no hesitation labelling the Eels' National Rugby League clash with Melbourne on Sunday as the club's grand final come early.

Cayless was named on a six-man Parramatta bench and will learn on Friday if he can play for the first time since breaking his arm against Wests Tigers in round six.

The fast-finishing Eels are in 10th spot, four points adrift of seventh-placed Melbourne, and need a win at Olympic Park to keep their season alive.

"If we lose this week, it's all over," Cayless said.

"We have to win all our games and hope other teams lose a couple. That's all we can do."

Parramatta coach Adam Dykes also picked Adam Dykes on the bench after a couple of strong displays in Premier League from the star five-eighth who's also missed a large chunk of the season with a groin injury.

Slowly but surely the Eels are starting to take on a more familiar look, with Cayless to have a final X-ray on Friday before hopefully returning to the pack.

"It feels good. I'm confident of playing if the doc says that I can," the Eels' regular captain said.

"I'm pretty excited.

"The boys have done really well to do what they've done considering the pressure they were under (and) the criticism they've had.

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