Turbo’s return is in hands of Manly

MANLY megastar Tom Trbojevic says he wants to return to the NRL this season and would like to be picked for the Kangaroos squad for the World Cup, but we’re still waiting to hear if he’ll get the green light from the Sea Eagles.

Trbojevic (pictured) suffered what was thought to be a season-ending shoulder injury back in round 11, but the fivestar fullback revealed his recovery was going better than expected and he hoped to be ready if Manly reached the second or third week of the finals.

A return would boost his chances of being selected for Australia, but there are no guarantees the Sea Eagles would want their best player to risk further injury on tour when they’d love to have him fully fit for round 1 next year.

“It’s difficult to answer that question at the moment because there’s no point going on record saying anything about it because there’s no timeframe on it,” Manly coach Des Hasler replied when asked if

the club would stand in Trbojevic’s way if he were to be picked by Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga.

“We’ll have to see what happens. I think any player would like to say that they’d like to play at the World Cup, but at the same time, he’s respectful and those decisions are a long way away. There’ll be no timeframe on that.”

Hasler said Trbojevic was smart enough to make the right choice and he wouldn’t jeopardise his future by rushing back too soon.

While Trbojevic won’t be rushed back, his brother Jake should be back next week.

The tireless lock forward and back-rower Andrew Davey have been ruled out of Friday’s crunch game against the Dragons because of Covid-19.

Hasler wouldn’t confirm his final 17 but did indicate that Josh Schuster could start on the left edge.

“Someone like Jake Trbojevic is going to be sorely missed,” he said.