Cronulla five-eighth Wade Graham is looking forward to opposing Todd Carney when the Sydney Roosters star makes his NRL return, but admits it could be "ominous" for the Sharks on Sunday.

Carney was stood down by the Roosters three weeks ago after it was revealed he had broken an agreement with the club 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.

Graham expects Carney to come out firing at Toyota Stadium for the clash between two sides desperate for victory after managing just a couple of wins each in 2011.

"He's going to want to come back and put his best foot forward, which is ominous for us, but as long as we play well and everyone puts their hand up we should be all right," Graham said.

"Obviously he's had his off-field issues and he's going to be looking forward to getting back onto the field ... that's where he does all his talking, on the field, and I'm going to have to be on my game and I'm looking forward to it."

Sydney Roosters fullback Anthony Minichiello believes a combination of brains and brawn will be the keys to victory against Cronulla.

Last year's grand finalists were beaten twice by the Sharks in 2010.

Minichiello admits the Sharks have had the wood on the Roosters but he's keen to put an end to that.

"They seem to have the formula against us, we've just got to try and break it," he said.

"They play very physical and we've got try and match that physical stuff along with some footy smarts.

"We're desperate for the two points and we have to play like that.

"We've had a look at some video of them but we probably don't need to look at the video to know how they beat us the last couple of times."

It's been a tough week for the Sharks after star backrower Jeremy Smith was ruled out for up to a month, the news coming after Test prop Kade Snowden signed with Newcastle.

Minichiello believes the impending loss of Snowden could bring the Sharks closer.

"I think it might galvanise them, especially their forwards, they'll want to stand up be counted for," he said.

"They've still got Paul Gallen leading the way for them, so it's a good challenge for us."

The Roosters have a slightly new-look to them with 22-year-old winger Steve Naughton to make his debut.

Both he and Roosters grand final centre Kane Linnett have been promoted from Newtown for the Sharks match.

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