League: Cleary confirms Soward set to return for Panthers

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary. Photo / Getty Images

Key playmaker Jamie Soward could be a late inclusion for Penrith in tonight's NRL clash with Brisbane after being sidelined for almost two months.

While he ruled out centre Dean Whare and hooker James Segeyaro returning and halfback Peter Wallace is still two weeks away, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said Soward and forward Elijah Taylor could be called in for the Suncorp Stadium clash.

Soward has been out of NRL action since round two after undergoing back surgery, but returned to full training two weeks ago and completed the captain's run yesterday.

Cleary said a final decision would be made after seeing how Soward felt this morning.

Cleary hopes the surgery will rectify a troublesome back that has plagued the 30-year-old since his days at St George-Illawarra.

Taylor will also travel to Brisbane after missing the past two games with a knee injury.

"Elijah's some chance [of playing]," Cleary said. "He's been like that for two weeks. Again, with ET, it's a real feel thing for him. A lot of it's going into what he thinks and how he feels about it. I don't think he'll play but we'll see."

Brisbane confirmed Darius Boyd will make his long-awaited return to Broncos colours after recovering from a serious Achilles injury.

Cleary expected the test and Origin star to make an instant impact.

"Often when a player comes back from a long break he has a really good game first up. It's the next one that's harder," he said.

- AAP