The Melbourne halfback Cooper Cronk is poised to make a shock return for Friday night's National Rugby League blockbuster against Manly at Brookvale Oval.
Cronk didn't travel with his teammates but was expected to catch a later flight on Thursday night, increasing his chances of being a late inclusion for the hotly anticipated top-of-the-table match.
One of the Storm's 'big three' with Billy Slater and Cameron Smith, Cronk injured his ankle in the round 23 win over Gold Coast and would give the ladder leaders a major boost against their fierce rivals Manly.
Considered little chance of returning this week when coach Craig Bellamy left him out of the side named on Tuesday, the Test and Queensland representative has worked hard on his recovery in a desperate bid to take on the Sea Eagles.
Cronk's likely inclusion shows Melbourne's desire to keep their club record 12-game winning streak going - but also how much they value victory over the Sea Eagles.
The two teams have forged a bitter rivalry over recent seasons, starting with Melbourne's dominant 34-8 grand final win in 2007, to which Manly replied with an even more emphatic 40-0 victory the following year.
The stripping of Melbourne's 2007 premiership for massive salary cap breaches further inflamed relations between the clubs.
Despite both Bellamy and Manly coach Des Hasler playing down the importance of the game, Manly lock Glenn Stewart was adamant it was a victory the Sea Eagles would treasure.
Manly are undefeated at home in 2011 and a victory on Friday night would give them an outside chance at the minor premiership.
