Tevita Pangai will make his debut in Penrith colours on Friday night as he makes his first NRL appearance after the miscarriage of his daughter a fortnight ago.
Three weeks after joining the Panthers on the Sunshine Coast, the ex-Brisbane forward will come off the interchange bench to play South Sydney.
New teammates rallied around the 25-year-old as he took time away to be with his family and partner Anna following the devastating loss 24 weeks into her pregnancy.
But on Thursday coach Ivan Cleary said Pangai was ready to return.
"Tevita will play," Cleary confirmed.
"He was very much ready a couple of weeks ago until he had some difficult circumstances to deal with, but he's very keen to get back on the field and we're very keen to get him out there and get him playing with his new teammates which is exciting.
"It's been a long time coming now.
"Ever since he got here, and even when I spoke to him, I felt a real fire in his belly to be a part of our run and the finals.
"He's just really hungry to be a part of it so I'm just looking forward to seeing him get out there and enjoy his footy."
The Tongan representative joined from Brisbane on a short-term deal and had little time to bond with his Penrith teammates before he was hit with the family tragedy.
However, Cleary said he has given a new energy to the playing group.
"Any new energy is good, especially at this time of year," Cleary said.
"Tevita's been around the group for a while now ... he's been missing for the last couple of weeks but everyone was still thinking of him and contacting him and all of that.
"He's just really hungry and he wants to do well and everyone can feel that and see that.
"We all understand Tevita's talent and it's more so his desire that's on show every day that the boys are really connecting with."
Cleary would not say who will make way on the bench for Pangai, but also confirmed James Fisher Harris will be sidelined for another week to return against Wests Tigers.
The star prop left the NRL bubble to return to Sydney for the birth of his child before undergoing a hard 14-day quarantine on arrival back in Queensland, which hampered his physical readiness.
"He could have played but I feel like for his best preparation it would be a bit rushed considering what he's been through over the last three, four, even six weeks," Cleary said.
"There was so much uncertainty and he was carrying a fair bit of mental stress.
"We've got a long turn around next week as well so by the time it rolls around he'll not only be ready for that game but he'll be ready for the rest of the season."
