Broncos welcome back four Test stars

AAP | 19/08/08 | 0

Brisbane's push for the NRL top four has been buoyed by the return of four internationals for Friday night's derby against a resurgent Gold Coast at Suncorp Stadium.

Karmichael Hunt, Tonie Carroll and Greg Eastwood all return from injury while damaging centre Justin Hodges is back from suspension as the Broncos look to close the three-point gap to the fourth-placed Sydney Roosters.

Roosters coach Brad Fittler has received some good news of his own, with captain Craig Fitzgibbon and Setaimata Sa fit again and Nate Myles back from a lengthy suspension for Friday night's Toyota Stadium clash with the Sharks.

Myles has been out for six weeks for a dangerous throw on New South Wales prop Ben Cross during Queensland's game three State of Origin win.

"It's been a while so it will be good to get out there," said Myles, who was named on the bench.

The Dragons have made a number of changes for Sunday's 7th v 8th encounter with the Warriors at WIN Stadium.

Back-rower Ben Creagh and five-eighth Jamie Soward return from injury, forcing Jarrod Saffy and Ben Rogers to an extended seven-man bench.

Warriors coach Ivan Cleary has named an unchanged starting side to the one that beat the Sharks 18-4 at Mt Smart Stadium last weekend.

Another coach reluctant to tinker with a winning line-up was Jason Taylor, South Sydney are also unchanged following their shock win over last year's grand finalists Manly.

Souths' opponents on Sunday, the Canberra Raiders, have been dealt a double blow with both Tom Learoyd-Lahrs and Justin Carney out for an extended period.

Learoyd-Lahrs will front the NRL judiciary this week in a desperate attempt to keep his season alive.

The 22-year-old will dispute the grading of a grade four dangerous throw charge which threatens to rule him out for up to seven weeks if he is found guilty.

"We think that we may have a case to dispute the grading of the tackle," Raiders coach Neil Henry said.

"There's been a couple of similar incidents this season where players have been given a grade three charge and we think this tackle warrants that."

Carney fractured an eye socket in Sunday's win over the Knights and will miss at least three weeks.

His injury opens the door for Brett Kelly to return, while Glen Buttriss comes into hooker and captain Alan Tongue moves to lock.

Frontrunners Melbourne have made only one change for next Monday night's trip to Penrith.

Test second rower Ryan Hoffman is out with an ankle sprain, seeing Jeremy Smith come into the starting 13.

Panthers hooker Luke Priddis is back after being rested for the 52-16 mauling of the hapless Bulldogs.