NRL: Enforcer pushed to return

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. Photo / Getty Images

Powerhouse Kiwi and Sydney Roosters forward Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is hopeful a last-minute fitness test will clear him for a battle royale with former NRL club Manly today.

The 1.93m monster has missed the past fortnight with a calf injury but it is understood coach Brian Smith is so keen to get the enforcer back to rescue their faltering season that Waerea-Hargreaves has been given until today to get himself fit enough to play.

He will consult with Smith and a physiotherapist before making the final decision.

Waerea-Hargreaves, who wasn't among the 17 named by Smith on Tuesday, ran freely in a training session on Friday, before pulling up sore.

But he says he is desperate to run out onto the Sydney Football Stadium.

"[The calf] is recovering well but every time I try to run or accelerate on full extension it sort of feels like it wants to tear again," Waerea-Hargreaves said.

"It's a tricky one because it's fine when I run but the next day I pull up a bit sore.

"Smithy said to me [on Wednesday] 'if you get your calf right we'll see how you go'.

"It sucks to be out watching my boys play, but [this weekend] I'm absolutely a chance."

The 21-year-old, who played six games for the Sea Eagles last year, is determined to face his former team-mates to prove that Manly should have fought harder to retain his services.

"You always want to show your old club that you've stepped up and you're not taking a backward step from the old team-mates," he said.

"You want them to know that you're travelling forward.

"I would love to be out there playing against them and showing them what I'm capable of doing."

It looms as a make-or-break game for the Roosters, who could slip as low as ninth if results go against them this weekend.

"This game is massive, but at the same time we just need to focus on getting the job done instead of worrying about where we're sitting on the ladder and what we can be capable of doing," Waerea-Hargreaves added.

"We need to rock up on the day, play our style of footy and make sure we come away with the win."

The match is also a key one for the Warriors - with both the Roosters and Manly in the mix with them for finals places which will determine their foes in the qualifying playoffs to be held in two weeks.

- AAP