Soward, Lee, Garvey named for All Stars

Penrith playmaker Jamie Soward, Canberra flyer Edrick Lee and Canterbury's Craig Garvey have slotted into the Indigenous All Stars squad.

The trio replace the high-profile withdrawals of skipper Johnathan Thurston, Blake Ferguson and Nathan Peats from the February 13 Suncorp Stadium clash.

Soward, Lee and Garvey have been named on the bench.

Gold Coast's Tyrone Roberts will start at halfback for Thurston who will concentrate on North Queensland's World Club Challenge clash with Leeds on February 21 in the UK.

Brisbane recruit James Roberts will start at centre in place of Ferguson (finger) and the Cowboys' Ray Thompson is the new starting hooker, replacing Peats (neck).

A Parramatta spokesman said Peats was continuing his rehabilitation from surgery on the C6 vertebra in his neck that he underwent in late 2015.

Peats is still expected to make his return to the field in early 2016.

Indigenous All Stars squad:

Greg Inglis (capt), Alex Johnston, Will Chambers, James Roberts, Dane Gagai, Ben Barba, Tyrone Roberts, Ryan James, Ray Thompson, Sam Thaiday, Greg Bird, Joel Thompson, Chris Grevsmuhl.

Res: Andrew Fifita, Tyrone Peachey, Edrick Lee, Jack Wighton, Craig Garvey, Jamie Soward, Wade Graham.