Manly's forgotten man David Williams believes he and the returning Brett Stewart can get Manly back to their premiership-winning form in 2011.

NSW winger Williams missed the whole of last season after undergoing a shoulder reconstruction, along with Stewart, who was sidelined after round one with a knee injury.

Manly laboured their way into the top-eight after struggling in the second-half of last season, and although there are few new faces at Brookvale, Williams believes the more familiar ones can help recapture the form of the 2008 grand final-winning team.

"The shoulder is all good, I am sticking to my schedule, I am back in full training and I am looking forward to my first game," Williams told AAP.

"I have had both shoulders done now and the other one is strong and hopefully this one will be the same and I can get back on track.

"Training has been good, but I feel like a bit of a new boy being back with the boys, but from what I can see, the boys are training well and I think we will be strong this year and definitely be challenging and get back to where we were."

Powerhouse prop George Rose, another player who was in and out of the treatment room last season, says the return of Stewart is as good as a new signing for the Sea Eagles.

"It is always good to have 'Snake' back, he is good to have around the club and gives a lot of energy to the boys and I'm sure everyone connected with the club can't wait to see him back," Rose told AAP.

Like fellow forward Shane Rodney, who is also on course to be back for the start of the season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament late last year, Rose is hopeful of an uninterrupted, injury-free campaign.

"We had some terrible luck with injuries last year, and for me personally it was a frustrating season but I hope this season will be better," he said.

The likeable 27-year-old also backed rookie halfback Daly Cherry-Evans to fill the void left by the departing Trent Hodkinson, despite his "odd-shaped body".

"He's good, but he's got really short legs, a long torso and long neck and a really skinny head ... you really notice it when you look at him," Rose said.

"That aside, he looks good in training and his kicking ability and passing have been very impressive."

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