Parramatta's Daniel Wagon will be handed the unenviable task of marking St George Illawarra's gun centre Mark Gasnier at Oki Jubilee Stadium on Sunday in his comeback NRL match from an eight-week injury.

Wagon replaces representative centre Timana Tahu, who broke his hand in the second-placed Eels' 56-4 thrashing of the Bulldogs last week.

It will be the 29-year-old Queenslander's first game since Parramatta's win over the New Zealand Warriors in round 15.

"That's what we are thinking at this stage," said Eels coach Brian Smith, about Wagon marking Gasnier, who has scored eight tries from 14 games this year.

"The main thing for us is that Wags, after a lengthy layoff, is ready to go."

Wagon is expected to be given a final clearance from Eels medical staff over the next two days.

His centres partner Ben Smith will mark Albert Torrens following the withdrawal of NSW centre Matt Cooper with a hamstring injury.

Asked if he was worried Wagon would be underdone going up against Gasnier, Smith replied: "It's a concern for anybody who is going to mark Gasnier.

"Wags is very experienced."

Smith said he doubted the loser of Sunday's match would "slash their wrists" but admitted the minor premiership was a goal for Parramatta, which sits two points behind competition leader Brisbane on the table and two ahead of the Dragons.

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