Injured NSW hooker Michael Ennis is heartened by the depth Canterbury have found in his position, with young gun Josh Reynolds starring in a late bid for the NRL finals.

Ennis is sidelined for the season with a neck injury but the Bulldogs have gone some way to plugging the huge hole he leaves with half-turned-hooker Reynolds and tough No.9 Joel Romelo.

Romelo will be missing from Monday night's crucial clash with Cronulla through suspension with Reynolds to start in the No.9 jersey at Toyota Stadium.

The 22-year-old St George junior has helped the Dogs to two wins from their past three games and they will join South Sydney two points outside the top eight with a win over the Sharks.

"He's a good young kid, he's got plenty of ability and he's finding his feet in first grade," Ennis told AAP.

"But he's got the attitude to work on things and work hard and he trains hard and he's a bloke who everyone likes amongst the group.

"He had a horrific leg injury round about two years ago and worked his way back from there.

"He had a great pre-season with us and now he's had some opportunities through the year and he's playing well."

Named at five-eighth for the injured Kris Keating last week, Reynolds' real damage has come from dummy half.

Coach Jim Dymock has promoted Parramatta-bound half Ben Roberts to play pivot.

The Bulldogs will be favourites to reverse their 26-10 round 15 loss to the Sharks, who have lost their past four games.

Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan has named two backs on a five-man bench, Colin Best and returning excitement machine Albert Kelly.

Kelly will be a welcome sight after being sidelined since breaking his fibula in round seven.

Cronulla also welcome back fullback Nathan Gardner, while captain Paul Gallen will take his place in the side after he was cleared of a kicking incident by the NRL judiciary on Wednesday night.

"It's not a good thing (Gallen's back), he's a tremendous player,"Ennis said.

"It will really boost their confidence.

"Whenever you get a guy like that back in your side, it certainly gives the club a boost so they'll be tough at home.

"It's a hugely important game for us and the boys are starting to get a bit of confidence in the group.

"Hopefully we can do a job and keep pressing our claim to sneak into the finals."

Reynolds and Romelo may be holding their own in first grade but will face a battle in 2012 with Ennis declaring his injury no barrier to resuming his 80-minute role.

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