NRL: Carney comeback to start on bench

Todd Carney of the Roosters. Photo / Getty Images

Sydney Roosters star Todd Carney is set to start his NRL season from the interchange bench against Manly tomorrow.

The Dally M medallist will turn impact player as he makes his comeback after a tumultuous off-season.

Carney's 2011 preparations were interrupted by groin surgery, then threatened by a drink-driving charge that was an unwanted throwback to his bad old days of off-field drama.

If the five-eighth can recover and train for the round two fixture, he will take his place among the Roosters' subs.

Prop Jason Ryles said Carney's inclusion would add to the Roosters' focus after they were given a fright by the Rabbitohs on the first night of the season.

"He's not 100 per cent yet, but we'll wait and see how he pulls up the next two days and go from there," Ryles said.

"Todd Carney in any team is a great boost so we're looking forward to him playing."

As for the novelty of last year's best player starting on the bench, Ryles said it would help prevent 24-year-old Carney being rushed.

"He'd be pretty good no matter whether he starts," said Ryles.

"He won the Dally M last year so it speaks volumes for the type of player he is, and he's one of our key players.

"We certainly don't want to be rushing him in round two, but if he's ready he's ready, if he's not we've got players who can cover the position."

Carney has been car-pooling with fellow Coogee residents Jake Friend and Nate Myles after his drink-drive episode, and Ryles confirmed the trio had not been late for training.

"He's very dedicated to his training and that sort of thing, hence the player he is."

Roosters coach Brian Smith delivered a stinging post-match critique of his players' less-disciplined moments against South Sydney in an attempt to snap any early season lethargy.

"I can't repeat what he said, but he certainly got to the point pretty quickly," said Ryles.

"We're back into the swing of it, particularly after the scare we had last weekend.

"Hopefully that doesn't happen this weekend, we worked hard on it and we think we've addressed it."

- AAP