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SYDNEY - Rest easy Tigers fans, the cavalry is coming.
While the Wests Tigers slumped to eighth spot with Sunday's 28-16 loss to the New Zealand Warriors, it wasn't all doom and gloom for the home side with news star duo Benji Marshall and Brett Hodgson were likely to available for next week's National Rugby League match clash against North Queensland.
Marshall almost earned a late call-up for the meeting with the Warriors before coach Tim Sheens erred on the side of caution by holding him back for another week.
The Kiwi international hasn't played since injuring his shoulder in the round-eight win over Melbourne while Hodgson has been out for seven weeks with a fractured cheekbone.
"(Marshall) was very close. He could have possibly played (today)," Sheens said.
"But we didn't think he was ready as far as what he'd been doing out on the field.
"Medically he's been passed fit. It's just a matter of what we're doing out on the field and bringing him in confident.
"There's no use bring in him back when he lacks confidence.
"We feel he and Brett and Bryce Gibbs (knee), I think all three will be available next Monday."
The addition of Marshall and Hodgson will also boost the Tigers' goalkicking stocks after Robbie Farah and debutant Shannon Gallant missed with all four of their shots against the Warriors.
- AAP
