Penrith received some rare good news on Tuesday, with fullback Lachlan Coote announcing he was ready to make his NRL return against Wests Tigers this Saturday.

Fresh from losing the in-form Michael Gordon (knee) and centre Timana Tahu (pectoral muscle) to season-ending injuries, the Panthers were desperate to find something to smile about.

It has come in the form of Coote, who has struggled with the osteitis pubis injury which halted his outstanding form at the end of 2010.

Coote was named to play for Windsor in the NSW Cup last weekend, but after watching Gordon succumb to injury, Penrith officials wrapped him in cotton wool instead.

"I was supposed to play but just pulled up sore after training and I didn't want to risk going out there on the weekend, having a game and then having a setback for another two weeks," he said.

"So I just thought it was wise to play it safe."

Coote admits it will be tough to replace Gordon, who was on the verge of a State of Origin call-up due to his impressive form.

But 21-year-old was hopeful he could return to the type of football that saw him become a crucial cog in Penrith's attack last season.

"It's pretty devastating for Mick and the team as well ... the way he's been playing for the boys and for the team has been outstanding," Coote said.

"He's a very good player and I really feel sorry for him and the way his season's ended.

"I'm just hoping to come out there and play my own game and try and get back to the way I was playing last year.

"Hopefully my groin pulls up sweet and I won't have to have another couple of weeks out."

Adrian Purtell will start in the centres in the absence of Tahu and NSW centre Michael Jennings.

Meanwhile, Bulldogs' hooker Josh Reynolds will make his NRL debut against Canberra on Friday night as NSW representative Michael Ennis' replacement.

Coach Kevin Moore said Reynolds was in the Ennis mould of player, and thoroughly deserved his call-up to first grade.

"He's very similar to Mick. One of his great strengths I think is his competitiveness," Moore said.

Their opponents will again be without halfback Matt Orford (groin), with Sam Williams starting in the No.7 jersey while young fullback Nathan Massey has been called up to fill the void of Blues No.1 Josh Dugan.

Meanwhile, Parramatta centre Joel Reddy looks certain to miss the rest of the season with a pectoral injury.

Reddy had scans on Tuesday but will not know the extent of the damage until he sees a specialist on Wednesday.

His place in the team to face Cronulla, who have named Josh Cordoba and Taulima Tautai in place of their Origin stars Kade Snowden and Paul Gallen, has been filled by youngster Ryan Morgan.

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