Royal boost: Prince's inclusion has Cartwright doing cartwheels

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This was published 12 years ago

Royal boost: Prince's inclusion has Cartwright doing cartwheels

By Glenn Jackson and Chris Barrett

GOLD COAST halfback Scott Prince was cleared yesterday to make his return from a hamstring injury against North Queensland in Townsville tonight.

Prince passed a fitness test on his injured hamstring yesterday, giving the Titans a boost before the clash. Coach John Cartwright is still to decide on the make-up of his bench, with Luke O'Dwyer, named at 18th man, a chance of playing his first game of the season.

Cowboys coach Neil Henry is preparing to make late changes to his squad, with both Scott Bolton and Antonio Winterstein possible inclusions.

Winterstein, who signed with the Cowboys this year from Brisbane, is yet to play for his new club because of a broken jaw, but is a strong chance of playing against the Titans. Winger Kalifa Faifai Loa or centre Will Tupou could make way.

If Bolton returns from a calf injury, Tariq Sims might miss out.

Wests Tigers second-rower Gareth Ellis will return from an ankle injury against South Sydney at the Sydney Football Stadium tonight. He will line up against Rabbitohs second-rower Sam Burgess, who was cleared to play following a shoulder problem.

The Rabbitohs are expected to be 1-17, while Tigers coach Tim Sheens would not divulge who would make way for his English import.

Sydney Roosters bench hooker Mark Riddell did not make the trip to Auckland yesterday, with coach Brian Smith preferring to rest him for the match against the Warriors tomorrow. ''I've had a few problems with my back and I'm just trying to manage it,'' Riddell said yesterday.

''With the flights [to New Zealand], the bus rides and coming home the next day, Brian Smith thought it best to leave me to get fresh for the games coming up. It wasn't worth going to New Zealand just for 20 minutes of game time.''

Daniel Conn is expected to join the 17-man squad against an as named Warriors line-up.

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Cronulla have no injury concerns before their clash with Manly tomorrow night, with Dean Collis likely to drop off their five-man bench. The Sea Eagles are expected to be 1-17.

Canberra have lost centre Joel Thompson for tomorrow's match against Penrith.

Tests yesterday revealed Thompson's haemoglobin levels had not returned to normal after he lost an estimated 1.5 litres of blood following a head knock in last Saturday night's defeat to Gold Coast. He was found unconscious in his shower the following morning. ''The levels are still pretty low,'' Thompson said yesterday. ''We'll just have to wait until next week. Hopefully I'll be right, just have to wait and see.''

Blake Ferguson is likely to shift to centre, allowing either David Milne or James Stuart to take over at fullback. Winger Daniel Vidot will take his place in the side despite an ankle complaint.

Panthers coach Matthew Elliott will trim their bench tomorrow. Masada Iosefa and Adrian Purtell are the likely candidates to miss out.

Melbourne and Parramatta are expected to be as named for their Sunday afternoon clash.

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Both St George Illawarra and Canterbury should be 1-17 for their match on Sunday.

Brisbane forward Sam Thaiday has admitted suffering from a groin problem but says he will play against Newcastle on Monday night at Suncorp Stadium. Knights second-rower Zeb Taia was ruled out last night with a bulging disc in his neck. Coach Rick Stone won't pick a replacement until tomorrow.

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