Injured Manly co-captain Jamie Lyon won't risk letting his ankle injury become season-ending but is hopeful of an NRL return against South Sydney on Saturday night.

Lyon has been named with Steve Matai (suspension) in a beefed-up Sea Eagles centre pairing for the Brookvale Oval clash as Manly look to overcome a mini-slump of three losses in the past four games.

He ran for the first time on Monday after being ruled out of the NSW side for State of Origin II with the syndesmosis problem.

"You've always got to look after your injuries and it's one of those sorts I could have for the rest of the season if I don't look after it," he told reporters on Tuesday.

"I've got a few more tests later in the week and had my first run yesterday and it felt pretty good, so in a couple of days' time I'll have another run and see how it goes but it should be right."

Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler will also wait on an assessment of forward Anthony Watmough (groin), who could also return in time for the clash with the Rabbitohs.

Souths will welcome back forwards Issac Luke (suspension), Sam Burgess (England), Dave Taylor (Queensland) and Shannan McPherson (hamstring) to the depleted outfit thrashed by Brisbane on Sunday.

Talented Penrith youngster Wade Graham will get his first chance to start in 2010, replacing Travis Burns (hamstring) in the first game of Friday night's Suncorp Stadium double-header against Brisbane.

Melbourne grand final prop Ryan Tandy will make his debut from the bench for his new club Canterbury when the Bulldogs take their home game against Gold Coast to Brisbane, also on Friday night.

Another to make a mid-season switch, former Warrior Wade McKinnon, will also make his club debut, at fullback for the Wests Tigers against Canberra at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday.

And Newcastle coach Rick Stone has dropped out of sorts halfback Scott Dureau, shifting Jarrod Mullen to No.7 and reinstating Ben Rogers at five-eighth in his return from suspension.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP