Injury-hit South Sydney have welcomed back a trio of big guns for Sunday's must-win NRL clash with Melbourne.

The ninth-placed Bunnies have named Beau Champion and Colin Best in the centres after both missed last weekend's golden-point win over Wests Tigers.

Champion returns from a cork while Best has recovered from a blood infection, leaving hospital on Monday and training on Tuesday before being named in the team.

Youngster Dylan Farrell, who scored a hat-trick in the 34-30 win over the Tigers, drops to the bench while English import Sam Burgess returns from suspension at lock in place of Souths' latest injured forward Jason Clark (knee).

Luke Capewell has been named at five-eighth after John Sutton dislocated his shoulder late in the Tigers clash and Michael Crocker returns to the side on the interchange bench.

Parramatta have named Ben Smith, although the backrower will only be free to play Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium on Friday if he successfully disputes the grading of his dangerous contact charge at the judiciary on Wednesday.

"We remain hopeful of a favourable outcome when we contest Ben's charge," Eels coach Daniel Anderson said.

Prop Fuifui Moimoi can play after taking an early guilty plea for his high tackle charge while co-captain Nathan Cayless will break Brad Fittler's record for the most NRL games as captain in his 216th appearance as Eels' skipper.

For the Broncos, youngster Corey Norman has been named at five-eighth with skipper Darren Lockyer out for two weeks with a rib injury.

Gold Coast welcome back NSW representative Greg Bird from injury for Saturday's clash with North Queensland at Skilled Stadium.

After missing the past three matches with a hamstring injury, Bird was named by Titans' coach John Cartwright on an extended five-man bench with Mat Rogers keeping hold of his five-eighth spot.

"Carty hasn't really given me any idea about what he is doing, but the way Mat's going I will be in the pack," Bird said.

"I'd prefer to be winning games and if Carty thinks the best way to win games is to go with Mat at five-eighth, that's good enough for me."

North Queensland have named Grant Rovelli at halfback with Johnathan Thurston ruled out with a right ankle injury.

Canberra will have winger Daniel Vidot available for their match against Canterbury after he took the early plea for a grade one dangerous contact charge, while the Bulldogs have named Daniel Rauicava to make his first-grade debut with Jamal Idris moving into the back row.

Second-placed Penrith welcome back halfback Luke Walsh, fullback Lachlan Coote and prop Tim Grant from injury for their clash with the Tigers, who have fullback Wade McKinnon back from a hamstring injury.

Manly have named prop Brent Kite to start in place of Josh Perry, who dislocated his tibia against Melbourne, while Anthony Watmough (cork) and Matt Ballin (concussion) are also included in their starting line-up for Monday's trip to Kogarah to play St George Illawarra.

The Dragons have named an unchanged starting line-up with Luke Priddis joining an extended bench.

The Sydney Roosters have named Mitch Aubusson in the centres for Friday night's match against Cronulla, with Kane Linnett (knee) and Joseph Leilua (cork) both out.

Tim Smith will start at halfback for the Sharks in place of Scott Porter.

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