Central linchpin Luke Walsh has shrugged off injury and is set to take on his former club Western Suburbs in a boost to the Butchers ahead of today's clash at St John Oval.
Since switching to Central this season, the veteran playmaker has played just one game for his new club - a 32-12 round 3 win over Souths - missing last weekend's two-point victory over The Entrance.
"He's had some bone bruising that kept him out last week but he's pulled up good after two sessions this week so he'll play," Central coach Phil Williams said.
"He's definitely looking forward to going up against his old club."
While the Rosellas are still looking for their first win of the season, Williams is wary of the former competition heavyweights.
"They compete hard and they still have that winning culture," he said.
"I watched them against Kurri last weekend and they have got players there who have won comps and others coming back from the Knights. We know we are going to have to play well to win."
Wests coach Todd Lowrie admitted he is looking for improvement across the board after three straight defeats to Cessnock, Macquarie and Kurri.
"We're not playing great to be honest and probably need our main guys to stand up but really, it's an across the board thing," he said. "We have to be better all over the field."
Five-eighth Ryan Walker shapes as a key figure for the Rosellas after a slow start to the season. Lowrie will no doubt be hoping his clash with former team-mate Walsh and Dylan Phythian in the halves will bring the best out of him.
New Lakes signing Joel Edwards's debut for his new club has been delayed a week with the former NRL forward out of action today due to a wedding.
"He won't play against Maitland because he's tied up with a wedding but he's a big signing for us," Lakes official Brendan Walsh said.
"We need all the help we can get and just to have Joel around to guide our young blokes is a big bonus for us."
Former Knights, Sharks and Manly hooker Terence Seu Seu will bolster Wyong when the Kangaroos try to take down unbeaten Cessnock at Cessnock today. In other round five matches today, Macquarie are at home to Kurri and Souths travel to The Entrance to take on the Tigers.
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