Foran in line for Warriors debut

KIERAN Foran is set for his long-awaited return to the NRL on Sunday after being named on an extended bench for the Warriors against St George Illawarra at UOW Jubilee Oval.

Foran had been expected to play against the Bulldogs last week in Dunedin but his return was delayed by a long-term shoulder injury.

The Kiwi international has not played since since suffering a torn bicep tendon on May 30 last year in his former side Parramatta’s 20-18 win over Newcastle.

Warriors coach Stephen Kearney said Foran, 26, was not a certainty to play on the weekend, with a decision on his involvement to be made later this week as he works to prove his fitness after a slower-than-expected recovery from shoulder surgery.

“He’s ticking along okay,” Kearney told Radio Sport in New Zealand.

“He’s got a protocol that we’re working through with him this week, through to the end of the week, and if he ticks the boxes that we need him to tick, there’ll be a chance.”

Foran’s potential comeback to the NRL comes after a roller-coaster past 12 months for the former Manly five-eighth.

He survived an attempted suicide by prescription pill overdose before being granted a release from a multi-million-dollar Parramatta contract last July after playing only nine times for the Eels.

Questions were also raised about Foran’s friendship with gambling identity Eddie Hayson, with the NRL only granting him a licence to start playing again in round three of this campaign.

Another big inclusion for the Warriors will be captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who has been named at fullback.

The Kiwi international withdrew from the side that lost 24-12 to the Bulldogs due to a concussion suffered in the round-two loss to Melbourne.

Tuimoala Lolohea moves back to the right wing where he began the campaign, with Ken Maumalo moving to the left flank in place of the injured Manu Vatuvei, who has a knee problem.

Meanwhile, James Segeyaro has signed a two-year deal with Cronulla, finally completing his messy exit from English club Leeds.

The 2014 Dally M hooker of the year was named on an extended bench for the clash with Parramatta on Saturday night.