Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson has confirmed Angus Crichton will make his long-awaited return in a massive boost for the tri-colours in sudden-death territory.
Crichton has been nursing a foot injury for months, but will mark his return after sitting out since Round 15 to give the Roosters some valuable big-game experience.
His injury required surgery and intense rehabilitation to get him fit for a return before the end of the season.
Robinson deemed his Test backrower "good to go" after failing to overcome the injury last week against the Panthers.
“(He's) ready to go,” Robinson said to media on Friday.
“I don't think the standard of the game changes when it comes to Angus. I just think it's the time out with the injury and time that he'll get on the field.
"He wasn't ready to go last week, that was the truth of it. He still had some issues last week and he hasn't had them this week, so ready to go."
Roosters' left edge has since been maintained by Salesi Foketi, who has emerged as a future star after an impressive couple of months developing into a consistent first grader.
It is expected Crichton will come off the bench for a stint on Foketi's edge.
Crichton is a huge boost for the Roosters after struggling in recent weeks without chief playmaker Sam Walker.
The incoming second rower has played 211 NRL games, as well as donning the NSW sky blue on 17 occasions and 11 Tests for Australia.
He will depart the NRL at season's end after inking a multi-year deal with Rugby Australia, the code he spent plenty of his schoolboy days playing before he was picked up by South Sydney.
If the Roosters thwart the Sharks on Saturday night, they will advance to Week 3 of the finals and face a well-rested Dolphins outfit at Suncorp.
