Parramatta star Jarryd Hayne says the return of halfback Brett Kimmorley makes the Bulldogs the team to beat in this year's NRL premiership.

Kimmorley returned to training on the weekend after a fractured cheek bone and his comeback in Friday night's preliminary final has the Eels, who have won nine of their last ten matches, on edge.

"Obviously they're the team to beat, they finished second they probably should have finished first," Hayne said on Monday.

"They're a class to themselves and they're getting Brett Kimmorley back and that will make it hard for us.

"We know what we've got to do and as long as we play out of our skins that's all we can hope for."

Eels pivot Daniel Mortimer said that he was hopeful but remained in doubt for the match with the hip pointer injury he suffered in last Friday night's semi-final win over Gold Coast.

"It's not too bad but it's a long and slow and recovery," Mortimer said.

"The physio is pretty happy so far, I'll be doing everything that I can to get right.

"The (doctor) said I'm a 75 per cent chance so he's given me a bit of confidence.

"But it's still pretty sore and I probably won't run until Wednesday or Thursday and we'll see how it goes then."

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