Wests Tigers skipper Robbie Farah has been named at halfback for the injury-hit NRL side's clash with the Sydney Roosters at Campbelltown on Sunday.

Coach Tim Sheens has opted to take young playmaker Blake Lazarus out of the firing line after successive defeats to Penrith and Canterbury.

But with Robert Lui still sidelined with a knee injury and Tim Moltzen out for the year after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament, Sheens has rolled the dice, shifting Farah from hooker and into the No.7 shirt.

The Roosters are also without regular halfback Mitchell Pearce, who is out with a fractured shoulder, with coach Brian Smith naming the in-form Todd Carney in his place with Anthony Minichiello shifting to fullback.

Gold Coast coach John Cartwright has selected the same team that beat Manly on Monday to face Penrith on Saturday at Skilled Park.

But Cartwright admits Scott Prince could make a shock return from a broken thumb against the Panthers.

"There is a possibility he will be back this weekend, he gets the pin taken out tomorrow (Tuesday) and we'll see how he is then," said Cartwright.

Despite having secured victories over Melbourne and Manly in Prince's absence, stand-in halfback Preston Campbell said he can't wait to have the Queensland State of Origin playmaker back in the side.

"He is a big player for our team and we can't wait to get him back in the side as you always want your best players available," Campbell said.

Canterbury coach Kevin Moore has been forced to shuffle his pack to face Parramatta on Friday with injuries to Josh Morris (fractured eye socket), star prop Ben Hannant (knee) as well as second-rower Yileen Gordon (ankle).

Stepping up to fill the holes in their forward ranks are Chris Armit and Tim Browne, who made his NRL first grade debut this season and will play off the bench against the Eels, who have retained the side that beat North Queensland last week.

"Our depth is certainly going to be tested," said prop Michael Hodgson.

"He (Hannant) does a lot of quality work for our side but you lose key members of your team and you've got to shoulder their load."

Brisbane have named utility Alex Glenn at hooker for the clash with Newcastle on Friday with Andrew McCullough out with a chest injury.

However, the Broncos have been boosted by the return of Denan Kemp from a four-week absence with three broken ribs and a collapsed lung.

Kemp will start on the wing for Antonio Winterstein (hamstring strain) provided he passes a fitness test on Thursday morning.

North Queensland have left out young five-eighth Ray Thompson who suffered mild concussion against the Eels and according to Neil Henry needs a rest.

Patrick Ah Van will make his first appearance of the season for the Warriors on Saturday night in a reshuffled backline against Canberra.

Coach Ivan Cleary named Ah Van on one wing, allowing Brent Tate to revert to his usual spot at centre.

Utility Lance Hohaia moves from five-eighth to fullback in place of Wade McKinnon, who drops to a five-man bench, while Joel Moon shifts from centre to the No.6 jersey.

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