Anthony Minichiello says having star playmaker Todd Carney back for the struggling Sydney Roosters does not guarantee two NRL competition points against Cronulla on Sunday.

The champion fullback has warned teammates about relying too much on Carney, who makes his comeback from a three-week ban against a Sharks side that defeated the Roosters twice last year.

"You can't expect to grab the two points this weekend because Toddy's back," Minichiello said.

"We can't just sit back and say 'oh Toddy's back, he'll pull out some magic'.

"He'll be a bit rusty himself ... we all have to lift our game across the board. Cronulla are a physical team, that's where they beat us last year and that's what we need to improve on."

Carney was stood down by the Roosters three weeks ago after it was revealed he had broken club protocol by partaking in a late-night drinking session with fellow Rooster Anthony Watts.

The Dally M medal winner has undergone treatment for personal issues as well as ongoing physiotherapy for a groin injury.

Minichiello said Carney had been doing all the right things since his ban.

"He's a great bloke and he's been putting some good steps forward to get back into the side and continues to do that," he said.

"Hopefully it's all dead and buried and we can get on with playing footy and win some games.

"He said he's working towards making himself better and we can see a difference in him.

"He's also working hard on his groin and has been coming in on his days off.

"We had a fan day the other day and he wasn't required and he said 'no, no I want to be there with the team, with the boys and for the fans' ... there's some good signs there."

Carney returned to training with the squad last week and Minichiello said the five-eighth was looking better with every hit-out.

"He's trained a few sessions with us now and he's looking sharper every day," he said.

"He's trained well over the past week and out there today. He was pretty comfortable and fitted right in to the structure that we're trying to play this weekend."

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