Troubled Parramatta halfback Tim Smith claims he is physically and mentally ready to play in the NRL again - but admits he is still working through the off-field problems that nearly cost him his football career.

On the same day Bulldogs star Reni Maitua was dropped for a drunken incident, Eels coach Michael Hagan recalled Smith for his first game of the 2008 NRL season against Newcastle on Friday after the most destructive of off-seasons.

The talented No.7 was on the brink of being sacked following an all-night drinking binge last December, but was spared the axe after receiving support from teammates and checking himself in to a Gold Coast rehabilitation clinic.

It is that support Smith, who also underwent shoulder surgery over the summer, vowed to repay as he begins his long road to redemption.

"They helped me out a lot and I'm thankful for that," Smith said of his teammates.

"A lot of them have been really good, so obviously I want to repay them because they're my teammates and my best mates, and the best way to do that is to play good footy."

While refusing to be drawn on his stint in rehab, Smith said was still working through a few issues.

"Obviously there's a few dramas there, but I'll just keep working through that," said Smith.

"You've got to take on a bit of responsibility and I've probably learnt harder than most about that, but it's footy time now and I just want to get back on the field and play footy."

Hagan believed Smith deserved a recall after making a promising return from shoulder surgery playing two games for Wentworthville in the NSW Cup.

"He's done the work in the pre-season, played a couple of games in the NSW Cup, and we're confident he can get the job done," said Hagan, who shifted Brett Finch to five-eighth and Feleti Mateo back to lock to make way for Smith.

"He's a first grade halfback and ... I think the players get a lot of confidence when he's in the team.

"His kicking game and organisation will be important for us ... and I think we'll be a more formidable team with him in, that's for sure."

Nathan Hindmarsh was also named to return for the Eels after the Test backrower was sorely missed in the club's loss to the New Zealand Warriors on Sunday.

Meanwhile, South Sydney coach Jason Taylor reacted to the Rabbitohs' poor start to the season by re-making his backline for Sunday's clash with Penrith.

Significantly, John Sutton will switch from lock to five-eighth, with Eddie Paea dropped back to the under-20s and Ben Rogers shifted to halfback.

It is the third halves pairing in as many weeks for the battling Bunnies, who have lost their opening two games despite entering 2008 with lofty ambitions.

Speedster Nathan Merritt will also return to fullback with Fetuli Talanoa shifting to the centres and Germaine Paulson moving to the wing.

In stark contract, Panthers coach Matt Elliott has a virtually unchanged line-up for the CUA Stadium clash despite back-to-back loses to open the season.

North Queensland recalled centre Ty Williams for Friday's blockbuster against Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium with Ash Graham serving a one-match suspension for a high tackle.

The unbeaten Wests Tigers will be bolstered by the return of powerful winger Taniela Tuiaki from a hamstring injury for Sunday's match against the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium.

Sonny Bill Williams returns for the Dogs, who have dropped Test forward Maitua over another alcohol-related incident from the weekend.

Bronx Goodwin has been given the chance to make the fullback position his own at Canberra with William Zillman (knee) out for the season, after being named at No.1 for Saturday's match with St George Illawarra.

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