A thumb injury to Jack Wighton will allow 18-year-old Lee to be injected into the centres in just his third NRL appearance against the Gold Coast Titans at Cbus Super Stadium on Sunday.

The Raiders will slump to the bottom of the ladder for the first time in more than three years if they lose to the Titans and the Cronulla Sharks beat the Newcastle Knights.

Lee has played his previous two games on the wing for the Raiders and showed his attacking brilliance in crossing for two tries in their 19-18 loss to the Wests Tigers a fortnight ago.

Sailor spoke with Lee after the Raiders' under-20s semi-final last year and said he could be the type of attacking weapon the team needs to reinvigorate its season.

"Canberra needs something to spark them,'' Sailor said. ''They were close against the Tigers and he could be the catalyst to help.

"He can be an X-factor, but it's about these young blokes working hard.''

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart identified Lee's potential early and signed him to a contract until the end of 2016.

At 192 centimetres and 101 kilograms, Lee already has the physical attributes to hold his own in first grade.

''There's no doubting his ability. I don't know what it is about Canberra, but they always unearth exciting players, especially in the halves and the outside backs,'' Sailor said.

"He's a big athlete and he's got all the skills.

''He'll do a good job this weekend in the centres; he's comfortable there and doesn't have to overplay his hand.''

The Logan Brothers junior has ticked all the boxes in the Queensland representative system, earning honours for the Maroons in under-16s in 2010, under-18s in 2012 and the under-20s team for the past two years under the guidance of former Origin five-eighth Kevin Walters.

Walters said the key for Lee to make the transition to the NRL would be to continuing to work hard and not getting caught up in reading his own press.

"Everyone knows the potential that a lot of these kids have coming through the ranks, it's just a matter of keeping their feet grounded and playing to the best of their ability each week,'' Walters said.

''You know there's going to be some mistakes and some errors around them, but as long as they're competing and doing their best, that's all you can ask of them."

Experience Raiders prop Dane Tilse described Lee as a ''confident sort of kid'' who had provided plenty of energy to the first-grade squad.

"He's young and is good fun to have around,'' Tilse said.

"He's a good athlete and hopefully he pulls off some good plays for us, but we're not expecting too much from him.

"If we can get him focused and do the little things right, he's got the talent to back it up.''

Reece Robinson comes into the Raiders side on the wing to replace Jeremy Hawkins.