Early return on cards for Boyd

BRISBANE skipper Darius Boyd is poised to make an early return from injury as coach Wayne Bennett confirmed centre Tautau Moga is the second Bronco to defect to Newcastle.

In a major boost for the Broncos, Boyd is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a broken thumb and hopes to be back for Brisbane’s Round 21 clash against Parramatta on Friday week.

The Broncos welcomed star pivot Anthony Milford’s comeback against the Knights last Saturday night and the imminent return of Boyd will restore order to Brisbane’s playmaking spine.

The classy custodian suffered the setback in Origin II and while he was disappointed to miss Queensland’s win in the decider, Boyd’s hopes of skippering Brisbane to a title remain intact.

Boyd did some running with his hand in a cast at Broncos training last Friday. He is eyeing a return in 11 days against the Eels at ANZ Stadium — the scene of his Origin II injury.

“I’m not too far away,” he said. “I still have the pins in my hand so the sooner I have them out, the sooner I will be back.”