Crichton on Bulldogs’ team sheet after ‘scary’ injury

Jasper Bruce |

Stephen Crichton could be fit to play only a week after his dramatic injury against Canberra.
Stephen Crichton could be fit to play only a week after his dramatic injury against Canberra.

Canterbury captain Stephen Crichton is a chance to return to the field only seven days after being stretchered off with no feeling in his right arm.

Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo admitted it was “a little bit scary” to see the NSW star lifted onto a medi-cab and placed in a neck brace during last week’s loss to Canberra.

But after being cleared of a serious neck injury and training on Tuesday morning, the 25-year-old has been named in the Bulldogs’ extended squad to face Wests Tigers on Saturday,

Crichton has battled a shoulder problem all season, but a rapid-fire comeback from the latest issue would be welcome news for the 11th-placed Bulldogs

Viliame Kikau.
Viliame Kikau is also set to play for the Bulldogs after recovering from a pectoral injury. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

Canterbury likely need to win at least of five of their remaining seven games to play finals and may have Viliame Kikau back from a pectoral injury as well.

The second-rower joins Crichton in the extended squad to face the Tigers.

Tigers co-captain Api Koroisau took part in training on Tuesday and is listed in the reserves, so could return from his pectoral strain after only two weeks out.

Penrith’s Casey McLean returns from the quad injury suffered in camp for the second State of Origin match but Mitch Kenny (leg) remains sidelined for the clash with Brisbane.

Halves Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam are back from their respective calf and shoulder injuries for Brisbane.

Hooker Billy Walters is in the struggling Broncos’ extended squad, hoping to play his first NRL game of the year following an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is back for the Warriors against the Dragons. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)

Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak returns from a hamstring issue to face last-placed St George Illawarra.

North Queensland co-captain Tom Dearden is a chance to return from the ankle injury that has sidelined him since round 10 and cruelled his State of Origin hopes.

The playmaker is in the Cowboys’ extended squad to face the Dolphins.

After last week’s 66-0 thrashing from Cronulla, the Dolphins welcome back their own Origin stars Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Selwyn Cobbo and Jack Bostock for the clash with the Cowboys.

Max Plath has been named despite hurting his ankle in last Saturday’s heavy loss to the Sharks.

Tyran Wishart replaces Cameron Munster (knee) in the halves as Melbourne continue their audacious finals push against the Sydney Roosters.

Jahrome Hughes also misses the clash against the Roosters with ongoing hamstring soreness, so Trent Toelau starts at halfback.

South Sydney star Latrell Mitchell is at least another week off returning from the calf injury he suffered at training late last month.

Alex Johnston (calf) is back on the wing to face Canberra, while Matt Dufty retains the fullback spot after an impressive game against Newcastle last week.

AAP