MANLY are set to be boosted by long-awaited return of international back-rower Glenn Stewart for their NRL blockbuster with South Sydney at Brookvale Oval in 10 days.
The Sea Eagles and Rabbitohs both boast 5-1 season records to be second and third on the ladder respectively.
So the return of Stewart for his first game in 2013 after off-season knee surgery would be a big plus.
Manly fullback Brett Stewart said on Tuesday his brother Glenn was using this weekend's bye to make sure he is ready for the big round-seven clash.
"Obviously the week off will be good for us,'' said Stewart, who is expected to overcome a hamstring strain that ruled him out of the NSW City v Country game in time to play the Rabbitohs.
"I think he (Glenn) should be right for the Souths game.
"I know he's excited about that. He's been training hard.
"It'll be good to have him back in the team.''
Stewart said it was a testament to the squad's strength that they'd done so well in Glenn's absence.
"(Winning) five out of six games without him says a lot for the team,'' he said.
"We're playing with a bit of confidence too, which is good. But we welcome him back with open arms.''
Halfback Daly Cherry-Evans emphasised the importance of Stewart's return, regardless of the fact he hasn't played a minute of footy this year, saying the second-rower was a huge influence on the team and their performance.
"We'd just be happy to see him back on the paddock,'' Cherry-Evans said.
"He's been out for a while, but we definitely value Glenn's input as a team player here and we're definitely a different side when Glenn's on the field.''
The Sea Eagles and Rabbitohs both boast 5-1 season records to be second and third on the ladder respectively.
So the return of Stewart for his first game in 2013 after off-season knee surgery would be a big plus.
Manly fullback Brett Stewart said on Tuesday his brother Glenn was using this weekend's bye to make sure he is ready for the big round-seven clash.
"Obviously the week off will be good for us,'' said Stewart, who is expected to overcome a hamstring strain that ruled him out of the NSW City v Country game in time to play the Rabbitohs.
"I think he (Glenn) should be right for the Souths game.
"I know he's excited about that. He's been training hard.
"It'll be good to have him back in the team.''
Stewart said it was a testament to the squad's strength that they'd done so well in Glenn's absence.
"(Winning) five out of six games without him says a lot for the team,'' he said.
"We're playing with a bit of confidence too, which is good. But we welcome him back with open arms.''
Halfback Daly Cherry-Evans emphasised the importance of Stewart's return, regardless of the fact he hasn't played a minute of footy this year, saying the second-rower was a huge influence on the team and their performance.
"We'd just be happy to see him back on the paddock,'' Cherry-Evans said.
"He's been out for a while, but we definitely value Glenn's input as a team player here and we're definitely a different side when Glenn's on the field.''
