NRL: Vatuvei's return boost for Cleary

Manu Vatuvei's problematic right knee will require management and he remains in danger of a season-ending injury.

The blockbusting wing's incredible tackle-breaking ability has been sorely missed as the Warriors slumped to three consecutive losses. "A lot of key things happen around Manu," coach Ivan Cleary said after naming the huge Tongan-bred Kiwi to make his return after two weeks off.

The knee cartilage tear he has is an aggravation of an injury suffered in 2007 and he hasn't been the same since, he said this week.

Vatuvei said he felt the knee go in the first half of the game at Manly but played on. It was his decision to pull out of the match against the Knights last weekend after earlier feeling he could play the game in Newcastle. "It was a bit sore and I didn't want to risk it out there, I didn't want to let the boys down," he said. "If it gets bad I'll have to go under the knife."

Pain comes and goes but he generally has no restriction when running and has 100 per cent of his speed but it can limit direction changes and affect his jumping for high balls when sore, he said.

Vatuvei creates problems for opposition sides. He makes such devastating impact with the ball in hand that teams plan to stop it getting to him as much as possible. And that opens opportunities elsewhere.

Despite scoring at an average of one try every two games, the NRL's best in recent years and attracting the defence that deserves, he continues to score and has one try from two games in 2009.

He peaked last season with 22 tries in 23 games all-up, 16 from 17 games for the Warriors and eight for the Kiwis at the World Cup including a Cup-equalling four-try haul against England at Newcastle.

It was at Parramatta early in 2007 where he had his worst game, targeted by the home team kickers and repeatedly dropping the ball as the Auckland club was thrashed 30-6. He was dropped from the top side to repair. It says much of his character that he turned his game around, scoring three tries at the same ground in a 28-6 win.

Clearly, he performs in the big games.

This one is big. The Warriors need to arrest their slide, especially at home. A third straight loss at Mt Smart would kill any intimidation factor built from seven consecutive wins there in 2008 and leave visitors feeling comfortable about their chances.

He feels no weight of expectation, he says, beyond that he places on himself. Nor does he have any mental hangover from the long-running injuries that he cannot control.

"It does play with your head, you just have to get through it. As I've got more experience I've got to know my body better."

He's ready, he said.