20 May 2016

Foran back for Eels

1:19 pm on 20 May 2016

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has confirmed Kiwis' five-eighth Kieran Foran will return for the Eels in Monday night's NRL home clash with Melbourne.

Paramatta and Kiwis playmaker Kieran Foran.

Paramatta and Kiwis playmaker Kieran Foran. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Foran has spent the past three weeks in rehabilitation after being granted personal leave by the NRL club, but will train with the team on Friday morning and play on Monday before returning to the interstate clinic.

"His doctor thinks that what is best for him now is to get back into playing football," Arthur said.

"He's still going to need some ongoing treatment. He will go back on Tuesday and then we'll go into the Newcastle game and then we've got a bye.

"So that gives him a fair bit of time to continue his treatment."

Arthur also said he was not concerned about a lack of training for the former New Zealand captain, suggesting he was no different to any player coming back from an injury.

Foran has battled hamstring injuries since arriving at Parramatta in the off-season, but missed only one game with the issue despite limited training sessions.

Arthur also indicated his star No.6 had maintained his fitness and managed to have a kick of the football while in rehabilitation.

"It's the same as if he had an injury for three or four weeks," Arthur said.

"He's missed two games, so it's not that long out of the game.

"You saw his first game for us against the Cowboys in round two when he had a real limited preparation and he done enough to help us get over the line."

Brad Takairangi will shift back to centre for the match, which is bordering on must-win for the Eels given they have provisionally lost 12 points as a penalty for salary cap breaches.

Arthur also indicated that he believed if Jarryd Hayne wished to return to the NRL, the former NFL player would find it hard to play for any club but Parramatta.

-AAP