Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson expects to unleash Sonny Bill Williams for next weekend's grand final rematch against the Canberra Raiders.
Williams signed with the Roosters on a short-term deal for the remainder of the 2020 NRL competition after his English Super League club the Toronto Wolfpack withdrew from their campaign.
But the Wolfpack's future is in serious doubt, with majority owner David Argyle selling up as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Williams had to serve a two-week quarantine when returning from Australia and has been building up towards a return against the Raiders, scheduled for next Saturday.
He hasn't played any rugby league since March,undergoing minor knee surgery before the English season was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.
On Friday, the 34-year-old watched his side annihilate the hapless Brisbane Broncos 58-12, and after the game, Robinson was asked about the likelihood of Williams playing in their next match.
"The plan is to get him out there, but we'll assess that Monday and Tuesday. But the plan's there to get some guys back out there as well, obviously Angus [Crichton], Aubo [Mitchell Aubusson], Luke [Keary], Matt Ikuvalu, those sort of guys are getting ready [to return]."
Roosters forward Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was less coy than his coach, as he declared Williams ready to go.
"He's always ready," Waerea-Hargreaves told Fox League.
"To be honest, yeah, it's been nice to have him back and it's only been a couple of weeks but the work he's already put in, what we've seen already, he's hungry, and we're excited to have him back."
The Roosters' win over the Broncos all but guarantees them a spot in the finals, as they chase a third successive NRL title.
For the Broncos, the loss capped off a tough week which saw coach Anthony Seibold get sacked - they've lost 13 of their 14 games since the season resumed in May.
Meanwhile, the St George Illawarra Dragons' slim hopes of qualifying for the NRL's top eight took a huge hit after their 14-10 loss to the Gold Coast Titans.
The Titans were down 10-4 with five minutes remaining before tries to Tyrone Peachey, and Jamal Fogarty secured the win.
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