Returning guns to swing finals race; injury crisis deepens

After a chaotic weekend of football, plenty of clubs will be forced to make changes heading into an all-important round 21.

The wounded Rabbitohs were dealt another major blow with one of their best players set to miss the rest of the season, while North Queensland's injury woes also continued.

On a brighter note, the likes of Melbourne, Parramatta and Manly should welcome back some key stars for the run home, while Penrith's title defence gets stronger by the week.

Here's all the early team news for this weekend.

THURSDAY

Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm, Allianz Stadium (7.50pm)

Roosters predicted team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Ethan King 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Hugo Savala 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Connor Watson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Salesi Foketi 13. Victor Radley 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Blake Steep 16. Egan Butcher 17. Spencer Leniu

Roosters team news: Victor Radley (shoulder) left the field last weekend with an injury and could be ruled out, while Billy Smith (concussion) won't be available and should be replaced out wide by Ethan King. Expect to see Hugo Savala (wrist) named in the squad and possibly in the No.6 jumper, replacing Chad Townsend. Nat Butcher (knee) is still another week or two away from returning to the side.

Storm predicted team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Grant Anderson 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Joe Chan 17. Ativalu Lisati

Storm team news: Ryan Papenhuyzen (calf) is scheduled to return, likely pushing Nick Meaney to centre and Joe Chan to the bench. Nelson Asofa-Solomona (suspension) is facing a two-game ban for an elbow on Manly's Jake Simpkin.

FRIDAY

North Queensland Cowboys vs St George Illawarra Dragons, QCB Stadium (6pm)

Murray Taulagi

Cowboys predicted team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Jaxson Paulo 3. Braidon Burns 4. Zac Laybutt 5. Rob Derby 6. Jaxon Purdue 7. Tom Dearden 8. Coen Hess 9. Reece Robson 10. Griffin Neame 11. Reuben Cotter 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. John Bateman 14. Karl Lawton 15. Kaiden Lahrs 16. Kai O'Donnell 17. Harrison Edwards

Cowboys team news: Murray Taulagi (hamstring) and Tom Mikaele (knee) will both be sidelined this week, with John Bateman (groin) in line for a return. Jake Clifford (quad) could also factor into things and will likely be named in the wider squad.

Dragons predicted team: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Corey Allan 5. Mat Feagai 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Hamish Stewart 17. Michael Molo

Dragons team news: Sione Finau (shoulder) left the field in round 19 and will be out of action, which should see Mat Feagai return on the wing. No other changes flagged at this stage despite the club's NSW Cup side continuing to string wins together.

Brisbane Broncos vs Parramatta Eels, Suncorp Stadium (8pm)

Mitchell Moses

Broncos predicted team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Xavier Willison 9. Ben Hunt 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Billy Walters 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Jack Gosiewski 17. Tyson Smoothy

Broncos team news: No changes expected to the side after their round 20 bye.

Eels predicted team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Zac Lomax 3. Bailey Simonsson 4. Viliami Penisini 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Joash Papali'i 7. Mitchell Moses 8. J'maine Hopgood 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Charlie Guymer 12. Jack Williams 13. Dylan Walker 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Jordan Samrani 16. Matt Doorey 17. Sam Tuivaiti

Eels team news: Mitchell Moses (calf) is expected to return, with Dean Hawkins likely to make way in the halves. Will Penisini (suspension) will also be back on deck.

SATURDAY

New Zealand Warriors vs Gold Coast Titans, Go Media Stadium (3pm)

Tino Faasuamaleaui

Warriors predicted team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Kurt Capewell 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Tanah Boyd 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Leka Halasima 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jacob Laban 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith

Warriors team news: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (knee) is slated to return and will likely take the fullback spot from Taine Tuaupiki. No other changes flagged at this stage following the nail-biting win over the Knights on Sunday afternoon.

Titans predicted team: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Jaylan De Groot 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Klese Haas 14. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 15. Jaimin Jolliffe 16. David Fifita 17. Iszac Fa'asumaleaui

Titans team news: Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (knee) looks set for a stint on the sidelines in another massive blow. Younger brother Iszac will likely come onto the bench.

Penrith Panthers vs Wests Tigers, CommBank Stadium (5.30pm)

Nathan Cleary

Panthers predicted team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Paul Alamoti 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Luke Garner 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Brad Schneider 15. Liam Henry 16. Luron Patea 17. Isaiah Papali'i

Panthers team news: Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo are both expected to return after being rested last weekend, while Brian To'o (knee) will be sidelined. Expect to see Paul Alamoti shift to the wing and Izack Tago (suspension) slot in at centre in his return.

Tigers predicted team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Taylan May 4. Starford To'a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Jarome Luai 7. Latu Fainu 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Alex Twal 11. Alex Seyfarth 12. Tony Sukkar 13. Adam Doueihi 14. Tristan Hope 15. Sione Fainu 16. Fonua Pole 17. Jack Bird

Tigers team news: Jahream Bula (knee) is in line for a return at fullback, with Sunia Turuva likely shifting to the wing and Charlie Staines dropping out.

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Cronulla Sharks, Industree Group Stadium (7.35pm)

Keaon Koloamatangi

Rabbitohs predicted team: 1. Alex Johnston 2. Isaiah Tass 3. Euan Aitken 4. Tallis Duncan 5. Tyrone Munro 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Siliva Havili 10. Sean Keppie 11. Jai Arrow 12. Jacob Host 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Ryan Gray 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Liam Le Blanc 17. Shaquai Mitchell

Rabbitohs team news: Peter Mamouzelos (concussion) and Keaon Koloamatangi (ankle) will both be sidelined, joining a growing casualty list for the club.

Sharks predicted team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Chris Veaila 4. Siosifa Talakai 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Billy Burns 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Jesse Colquhoun 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

Sharks team news: Briton Nikora (concussion) will miss at least a week, with Billy Burns likely starting in the back-row. Jesse Ramien (hamstring) was a late omission last week and looks set for a stint on the sidelines.

SUNDAY

Canberra Raiders vs Newcastle Knights, GIO Stadium (2pm)

Ethan Strange

Raiders predicted team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali'i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota

Raiders team news: No changes expected to the side that defeated Parramatta.

Knights predicted team: 1. Dane Gagai 2. Dominic Young 3. Fletcher Hunt 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jackson Hastings 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Brodie Jones 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Phoenix Crossland 14. Tyson Gamble 15. Mathew Croker 16. Tyson Frizell 17. Jermaine McEwen

Knights team news: No changes flagged at this stage after a narrow round 20 loss.

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Manly Sea Eagles, Allianz Stadium (4.05pm)

Sitili Tupouniua

Bulldogs predicted team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Enari Tuala 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Jethro Rinakama 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Josh Curran 17. Bailey Hayward

Bulldogs team news: Sitili Tupouniua (hamstring) left the field on Saturday night and looks set for another stint on the sidelines. No other changes flagged at this stage.

Sea Eagles predicted team: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Tom Trbojevic 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau'atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Tommy Talau 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley

Sea Eagles team news: Haumole Olakau'atu (shoulder) is in line for a return in the back-row in a major boost. Jake Simpkin (concussion) will be sidelined.