South Sydney fullback Rhys Wesser is desperate to repay the faith shown in him by the NRL club when he takes part in his first game in almost 12 months in Saturday night's Charity Shield clash.

Wesser arrived at the Rabbitohs ahead of the 2009 season promising to add class and pace to a backline clearly lacking on both fronts, but he failed to make it past the second round thanks to a knee injury which refused to heal.

At first it was assumed the former Penrith and Queensland Origin flyer would miss just four weeks, but four weeks soon became seven months as Wesser's comeback attempts mirrored the Rabbitohs' season of near misses.

Now the 30-year-old wants to make amends.

"I came here last year and only played two games so I don't want to leave it like that," Wesser said.

"I want to get out there again in the green and red.

"They've taken me on and they've treated me quite well here and it's been a great club to be with - I hope this season I can repay them."

Wesser admitted he had to get away from footy as his frustrating attempts to get back on the field gathered in number last year.

"I thought it would be four or five weeks, that's about it, but it kept on getting extended," Wesser said.

"I just got footy out of my head and the healing process took over then with the fact that I wasn't thinking about getting back the next week or the week after.

"It was frustrating sitting on the coach watching or being in the grandstand - getting out there on Saturday night, finally I'll be doing something."

While Wesser was confident he could return to the sort of form which earned him the nickname "Rhys Lightning", he admitted to a few nerves ahead of his comeback against St George Illawarra on Saturday night.

Charity Shield clashes are played with a ferocity unmatched in other NRL trials, and Wesser knows there's no way the Dragons will be going easy in both clubs' final hitout before the season.

"It's going to be a physical game, two rival clubs coming together - it's going to be tough," Wesser said.

"Neither club likes to lose.

"I'll probably be quite nervous - I haven't had much contact so it's going to be very nervous that first touch of the ball.

"Once I get into it I'll be right and instinct can take over."

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