Paul Vaughan a chance for early return when Dragons face Raiders

St George Illawarra's quest to stay inside the NRL top eight could be set for a boost with prop Paul Vaughan a chance to make a shock return against former club Canberra on Friday night.

Vaughan was named on an extended bench on Tuesday as he seeks to make a comeback from a calf injury two weeks ahead of schedule.

The 26-year-old will have a point to prove to the Raiders and coach Ricky Stuart after being moved on last year.

The Dragons have been ordinary over the last month, winning just one of their last four games to be sitting in seventh on the ladder.

Their cause won't be helped by back-rower Tyson Frizell, who has been ruled out of the clash with coach Paul McGregor refusing to ask him to back up following Wednesday night's State of Origin decider.

Frizell has been troubled by rib and back injuries over the last several weeks and the club has given him a week off to recover.

Meanwhile, Brisbane are set to be boosted by the possible return of five-eighth Anthony Milford from a shoulder problem.

He has been named on an extended bench to take on Newcastle while Jamayne Isaako will debut on the wing for the Broncos.

After missing the last fortnight with a calf injury, Canberra hooker Josh Hodgson has been named to make his return.

Newcastle coach Nathan Brown has stuck by young halfback Brock Lamb despite coming up with two crucial errors in their loss to Canterbury.

Knights skipper Sione Mata'utia has been named but is under a cloud due to a finger injury.

Cronulla's hooking crisis could be about to ease with James Segeyaro (broken arm) named on an extended bench to take on the Gold Coast.

Penrith back-rower James Fisher-Harris makes his comeback from a hamstring injury.

South Sydney have dropped winger Braidon Burns in favour of Robert Jennings.

For the Warriors, hooker Issac Luke and centre Solomone Kata both return.