Warriors coach Ivan Cleary says he misses that "winning rush" after three straight NRL losses, but he's hoping to get a taste of it against the Sydney Roosters on Sunday.

The New Zealand side will welcome back two key stars, skipper Steve Price and try-machine Manu Vatuvei, for the round six clash against the Roosters at Mt Smart Stadium.

The two sides sit shoulder-to-shoulder in the middle of the table with two wins and three losses each and the Roosters will be hungry for revenge after losing at Mt Smart Stadium in last year's semi-finals.

Cleary says the home game advantage and the return of the power duo from injury should equate to a much-needed win for the Warriors.

"You definitely miss your key guys, there no doubt about it," Cleary said.

"Just having them out there makes all the difference. Well that's what I'm hoping.

"I miss that winning rush. I was enjoying it there but haven't had it for a while."

There was much talk of title contention for the Warriors after two convincing early wins.

Despite not winning since, the coach said his side could still take it out.

"It's nice to be thought of as contenders and I hope that we still are considered that," Cleary said.

"We still feel like we're a good team and we're not too far away from things."

Price, who has sat out the last two matches with a serious, potentially life-threatening throat injury, says he's very confident he's safe to play.

"I went and saw the specialist and he gave me the all clear," he said.

"He was really happy with everything. There's no risk and the airway is as good as it can be."

The captain said it had been frustrating sitting out, especially watching consecutive losses.

"I hate missing footy games. It impacts even more when you lose because you wonder what you might have been able to do," Price said.

Vatuvei, who has been out for three matches with knee ligament trouble, was also a restless spectator.

He said his knee was feeling "alright".

"I have had a few problems at training but hopefully I can play through it," he said.

The Warriors have opted to try to rehabilitate the injury rather than go through surgery and timely recovery, a choice Vatuvei said he's happy with.

"If it gets really bad then I will have to (have surgery)," he said.

"I just hope I don't have to go under the knife."

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