Premiership favourites St George Illawarra will welcome back representative stars Matt Cooper and Jeremy Smith for Friday night's NRL clash with Penrith.

Smith finally looks set to play for the first time since going down with an ankle injury on May 3, the Kiwi international having been forced to abort his comeback the last three weeks.

His return is sure to add significant strength to what has been a dominant Dragons pack this season, while they also get back some firepower out wide with Cooper named to return from a heel injury.

Cooper and Smith were both named on an extended bench, though Cooper will likely start in the centres for Chase Stanley should he prove his fitness.

The Panthers got some good news of their own with NSW Origin star Luke Lewis named to make his return from a foot injury which has kept him sidelined since round 13.

Gold Coast veteran Mat Rogers will make his return from injury in the centres this weekend as the Titans bid to stay ahead of the chasing peleton in the race for a top four finish.

The return of Rogers is one of two key additions for the Titans, with Anthony Laffranchi back in the second row following his one-game suspension.

The duo could not have come back at a better time with the third-placed Titans in danger of being swamped by the host of teams stuck in the logjam at the bottom of the top eight.

They meet a Warriors side out of the finals running and minus fullback Wade McKinnon, who was dropped for being late to a recovery session on Sunday following the extra-time draw with Penrith the previous night.

His absence allows young gun Kevin Locke a crack at his preferred fullback position while Elijah Taylor will make his NRL debut replacing Jerome Ropati in the centres.

In a shock move, outgoing Sydney Roosters coach Brad Fittler named Anthony Minichiello at five-eighth for his side's meeting with Wests Tigers on Sunday.

Newcastle coach Brian Smith has restored skipper Kurt Gidley to fullback with Ben Rogers named to partner Jarrod Mullen in the halves for the Knights' must-win match with Parramatta on Sunday.

The Knights have lost both their matches since Smith announced his intention to join the Sydney Roosters in 2010, with a loss this weekend and a Tigers win putting Newcastle out of the top eight.

Brisbane have axed Steve Michaels and welcomed back Peter Wallace and forwards Sam Thaiday and Nick Kenny for their meeting with struggling Cronulla on Monday.

The match is shaping as make-or-break for the Broncos who are in danger of missing the finals for the first time since 1991.

Cronulla coach Ricky Stuart has brought in experienced trio Bronx Goodwin, Misi Taulapapa and Ian Donnelly with Matt Wright moving to five-eighth for the axed Blake Green.

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