Wests Tigers assistant coach Royce Simmons says Tim Sheens' in-form side are determined not to lose their momentum when they return to NRL action against Canberra on Sunday.

The Tigers have won their last three games, but are wary of losing their mojo after returning from the bye, having been thumped 50-10 by South Sydney when they last returned from a break in round 10.

"I would rather have played last week myself, sometimes coming off a bye you can hit the ground running but often you are a bit dusty," Simmons said.

"It takes time to build up momentum, you can't get it in one game and we were going nicely.

"When we came back from a bye last time our performance against Souths was very ordinary and we have spoken about being fully committed and hopefully we can show that on Sunday."

The Tigers welcome back Keith Galloway and centre Blake Ayshford from injury lay-offs and Simmons said the return of the pair is a big boost.

"Geoff Daniela has had some great games for us recently, but Blake was one of our best earlier in the season and he comes back in," Simmons said.

"Players now know that with players returning from injury there is pressure to perform and that can only be good for us."

The Tigers make their first appearance of the season at Balmain's spiritual home of Leichhardt Oval when they take on the Raiders and skipper Robbie Farah cannot wait to run out at the venerable old venue.

"It's the best feeling in the world leading a team out there and I have told the boys that haven't played there before in a Wests Tigers jersey they haven't lived until they play in front of the hill at Leichhardt," Farah said.

"It is a great honour to be the captain and I hope we can get out there and get the two points."

Wade McKinnon will make his debut for the Tigers after joining from the Warriors and will play at fullback against the Raiders.

Farah believes securing the services of the former Parramatta man is a shrewd piece of business by the club.

"You can see the difference he has made at training, he is a natural fullback and pops up at the right places and he will be a big threat for us in attack," he said.

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