Four months after damaging ligaments in his toe after a trampoline jump ended with an awkward landing, Wighton's debut season is set to receive a lifeline in the Raiders' semi-final against the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Saturday.

He posed for photos with his under-20s teammates yesterday, but Raiders coach David Furner has backed the teenage sensation to make a stunning comeback in the finals.

Wighton has played just 40 minutes since May, making his return from injury for the under-20s last weekend.

Jarrod Croker's fractured cheekbone has opened the door for the 19-year-old to be recalled to the NRL squad and he has been added to Furner's bench.

Joel Thompson has been named to replace Croker in the centres with Joe Picker elevated to start in the second row. But Furner is considering keeping Thompson in the forward pack, which could allow Wighton to make a shock return.

Furner will wait until later in the week to finalise his extended bench, which includes Jarrad Kennedy, Travis Waddell and Dimitri Pelo.

Wighton earned the nickname Jumpin' Jack in his debut after an incredible leap set up a try, but jumping on a trampoline with younger brother Gene in May left him needing surgery and put his dreams on hold. Despite his lack of game time, Furner had no qualms about giving Wighton a surprise recall.

''I think he's the type of kid who can just push it to another level when needed,'' Furner said of Wighton.

''I've seen what sort of kid he is in pre-season and [what he's like] when you need to push yourself. In the games he has played in first grade I've seen enough that I know if he gets the opportunity, he can handle it.''

While Wighton's training was limited during his recovery, he has been working in the gym and returned to running five weeks ago.

Thompson's aggressive style could influence Furner's decision as the Raiders attempt to combat the potent attacking weapons in the Souths back line. But in his eight NRL appearances, Wighton has shown he can be as physical as his older opponents.

''I don't think you reach your full size until you're 25 years old and Jack's only a 19-year-old kid,'' Furner said.

''I've named that side with Crokes being out, but Joelly T has been good in the back row and I've got to look at the balance and the options. You need that aggression against Souths and that's what Joelly brings so we'll just wait …''

Finals rookies Sam Williams and Josh Papalii were outstanding against the Cronulla Sharks last weekend. Papalii ruffled the feathers of hardman Paul Gallen but Furner was reluctant to say whether the 20-year-old would be given another mission against the giant Souths pack that includes David Taylor, Sam Burgess, Michael Crocker and Roy Asotasi.