English international Sam Burgess has been named to make an early return from injury for South Sydney in Friday night's NRL clash with Manly.

Burgess re-injured the shoulder he had off-season surgery on in Souths' first round loss to the Sydney Roosters.

The giant second rower could have missed up to a month of football, but it seems Burgess' has received a best-case-scenario verdict from the doctors, and will return after just two weeks out to tackle the in-form Sea Eagles at Bluetongue Stadium.

Rabbitohs coach John Lang named Burgess in his line-up pending a medical clearance on his damaged shoulder.

Burgess will replace Eddy Pettybourne, who was suspended for three matches by the NRL judiciary.

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