Parramatta could finally get a glimpse of Zac Lomax playing alongside halfback Mitchell Moses as the winger gets set to make a late audition to retain his spot in the NSW State of Origin side.
After Thursday's 20-16 loss to the Dolphins, which kept the Eels at the bottom of the ladder, coach Jason Ryles said he was hopeful of having Lomax back on deck for next Friday's away trip to face Newcastle.
The Eels' early-season record (2-7) under rookie head coach Ryles has clearly been impacted by the lengthy absences of the club's two-most creative players.
Lomax has not played since round five due to injury, denying Ryles the chance to see the club's star outside back combine with influential playmaker Moses, who missed the first six games of the season with a foot issue.
"Zac's back next week and that's when he's been scheduled to come back," Ryles said.
"With the performance team, he's got a few boxes to tick before next Friday.
"That's the game we're aiming for, so we'll see how he goes."
Providing Lomax can get the all clear, the winger will have just one shot to prove to NSW coach Laurie Daley he is deserving of a Blues recall.
Daley will name his Blues side on the Monday following round 11's NRL matches.
Lomax was a revelation on his Origin debut last year, assuming goalkicking duties and offering the Blues an aerial threat.
If he gets the green light, the 25-year-old would likely take a spot on the right wing given the Eels lost luckless Bailey Simosson to an injury on Thursday.
Ryles said Simonsson would go for scans but a long-term absence would be another blow given the Eels' relatively inexperienced roster.
"You've got to look at the experience of some of the boys out there who are in the first part of their NRL career, and it's a tough business the NRL," Ryles said.
"They're learning on the job, and they're doing an outstanding job for long periods, but there's just little moments in the game.
"It's not any one person, it's spread across the team, so we'll go back, review, and we'll just continue to look to get better each week."
