Five-eighth Te Maire Martin has been named on an extended interchange bench for NZ Warriors, before Friday's clash with St George Illawarra Dragons at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart.
After starting 2023 as the first-choice partner for halfback Shaun Johnson, 27-year-old Martin has been out of action since round six, when he suffered a broken leg in defeat to Newcastle Knights.
In Martin's absence, fellow new arrival Luke Metcalf has made the No.6 jersey his own, and will remain as Johnson's partner as the Warriors play their final home game of the regular season.
But having overcome repeated setbacks, Martin is in line to return to the field as early as Friday, named in the No.22 jersey for the Warriors.
Aside from his duties in first grade, Martin has also been named to play at five-eighth in the Warriors' New South Wales Cup reserve grade side, rather than be rushed straight back into the NRL.
As the only change to the playing 17 that defeated Manly Sea Eagles last week, Josh Curran returns to the starting side for just the fifth time this season.
Curran, 24, last week admitted his disappointment at his performances in 2023, but will be given another opportunity to show his wares in the second row, as Jackson Ford drops to the interchange bench.
Friday's encounter is the Warriors' penultimate match of the regular season, before a trip away to Redcliffe Dolphins before the NRL finals begin next month.
NZ Warriors: 1-Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2-Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3-Rocco Berry, 4-Adam Pompey, 5-Marcelo Montoya, 6-Luke Metcalf, 7-Shaun Johnson, 8-Addin Fonua-Blake, 9-Wayde Egan, 10-Mitchell Barnett, 11-Josh Curran, 12-Marata Niukore, 13-Tohu Harris (c)
Interchange (from): 14-Dylan Walker, 15-Jackson Ford, 16-Bayley Sironen, 17-Freddy Lussick, 18-Tom Ale, 20-Taine Tuaupiki, 21-Ed Kosi, 22-Te Maire Martin, 23-Kalani Going
