NRL

The Sydney Roosters are closing in on the return of three key players at a crucial point of their season, providing a timely boost following the devastating injury suffered by Sam Walker.

Read more NFL

Daniel Tupou, Victor Radley and Angus Crichton are all progressing towards returns over the next couple of as the Roosters prepare for their final regular-season clash against South Sydney before turning their attention to the finals.

Tupou is the closest of the trio and is firming to return against the Rabbitohs on Friday night after spending the past month sidelined with a dislocated shoulder whilst Radley is viewed as likely.

The veteran winger returned to training on Monday and, if cleared to play, his comeback is expected to allow Billy Smith to shift back into the centres for the Round 27 blockbuster.

MORE: Storm grant forward early release for Cowboys move

Radley is also in contention to face South Sydney after missing the past two weeks following the concussion he suffered against the Wests Tigers.

The 28-year-old participated in Monday’s training session and is now pushing to reclaim his place in the side as the Roosters attempt to avoid a third consecutive defeat.

Crichton’s return is expected to take slightly longer, with the representative back-rower targeting the opening week of the finals after undergoing foot surgery and being sidelined since June.

Despite that, Crichton also took part in training on Monday, with it looking like he could be a slight chance at pushing for a return this week.

Getty Images

The potential return of the trio comes at an important time after the Roosters suffered a major setback with Sam Walker sustaining a syndesmosis injury during Saturday night’s 26-12 defeat to the Dolphins.

Walker underwent surgery on Sunday and faces a race against time to play again this season, forcing the Roosters to prepare for the possibility of navigating their entire finals campaign without their star halfback.

Hugo Savala is expected to partner Daly Cherry-Evans in a new-look halves combination against South Sydney, but the return of the experienced trio will help ease the burden on the new pairing.

Billy Smith can now slot back into his preferred centre position to accommodate Savala’s move into the halves, with Tupou returning on the wing to potentially reunite the same backline the Roosters fielded during their 2024 finals campaign when Walker was sidelined with an ACL injury.

While losing Walker represents a significant blow to their premiership hopes, the return of Tedesco last week, combined with Tupou, Radley and Crichton closing in on comebacks, could provide the reinforcements the Roosters desperately need heading into September.

Many have already written the Roosters off following Walker’s injury, but with a roster that could otherwise be close to full strength come finals time, there is still more than enough talent available to prove the doubters wrong.

NRL

Comments