Raiders coach David Furner says a lack of match fitness is the only thing holding NSW State of Origin winger Blake Ferguson back from returning to the NRL.
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Ferguson is expected to be reinstated for next Saturday's clash with the red-hot Sydney Roosters in his first game at the top level since being de-registered by the NRL for repeated alcohol-related incidents.
He has spent the past two weeks playing in the NSW Cup with Canberra's feeder club Mounties, including on Saturday against North Sydney, as the Raiders resisted the urge to rush the 23-year-old centre straight back into first grade.
Furner said Ferguson was a bit rusty after serving a month-long suspension and needed the extra game time in reserve grade to force his way back into an in-form Raiders side.
The Raiders are in the midst of a three-game winning streak before Sunday's match with the Melbourne Storm at Canberra Stadium.
''Fergo said to me after the game last week that he's underdone,'' Furner said.
''I know he's done some alternative training in those four or five weeks … I just thought his fitness was a little bit down, and he actually admitted that.
''I expect a good showing for the following week [against the Roosters].
''I watched his game against the Mounties [last week] and there's some areas he needs to work on.
''We know how he can play, it's just about match fitness.''
Ferguson trained alongside his cousin and former world champion boxer Anthony Mundine while he was serving his suspension.
He hasn't played in the NRL since June 15 in the round 14 win against the Penrith Panthers, but has proved this season, both for the Raiders and in his Origin debut, how explosive an attacking weapon he can be.
Ferguson has scored eight tries in his 10 games for the Raiders this year and has been a revelation since moving from the wing to right centre.
He gave Storm counterpart Justin O'Neill nightmares during their round eight match at AAMI Park, crossing for a double and kicking four from four in a personal haul of 16 points as the Raiders took the honours 24-20.
''You've got to look at the big picture in the sense that he hasn't played for four or five weeks,'' Furner said.
''We'll see the team get through the game [on Sunday] and Fergo to play some good football [before deciding if he comes back next week].''
