NRL: Kenny-Dowall to return for Roosters

Shaun Kenny-Dowall is set to return to action for the Roosters. Photo / Getty

Shaun Kenny-Dowall is in line to return from almost two months on the sidelines in Sydney Roosters' final round NRL clash with South Sydney on Friday night.

Kenny-Dowall hasn't played since round 18 due to concerns over his mental well-being amid domestic violence allegations levelled against him, to which he has pleaded not guilty.

But coach Trent Robinson said on Thursday the Kiwi international was likely to return for the clash with the Rabbitohs.

"Shaun is pretty close, he has had a good week, he has trained a bit of last week and all this week, so if he is right to go he will be in tomorrow night," Robinson said. "It is important for him to get back into his footy.

"Brendan Elliott has done an amazing job but Shaun is one of our leaders and the way that he was playing is important to how we play.

"Getting him back and getting him back to his best could be important over the next couple of weeks."

Elliott has filled in capably on the Roosters' right wing in Kenny-Dowall's absence and was named to play there again by Robinson in the team list released on Tuesday.

But Robinson said he was keen to get Kenny-Dowall back before the NRL finals start next week and he would make a final decision on Friday morning.

"Getting Shaun back in before the finals if he is ready is important," Robinson said. "It has been based on if he is ready and that is the assessment he has made and we have made."

Robinson said Kenny-Dowall would not play for the Roosters' feeder club Wyong in the first week of the NSW Cup finals if he did not play against Souths.

-AAP