Canberra coach David Furner will today name his strongest available squad, including the Raiders' four All Stars representatives, for the club's opening trial match against Melbourne in Albury on Saturday.
Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Travis Waddell, Joel Thompson and Josh Dugan all emerged unscathed from the NRL season-opener on the Gold Coast, and appear set to back up against the Storm.
Dugan suffered a thigh injury in a trial match against the Bulldogs last year, and missed a number of early games in 2011 as a result.
''Last year is a reason why [I'm reluctant to play trials], but if I have to play I'll play and put everything into it,'' Dugan said.
''In the end it's up to Furnsey [Furner] if he wants me to play or not.
''It's a 50-50 situation. If you don't play trials you could be rusty and if you do you may get injured.''
The match will be playmaker Terry Campese's first since playing just eight minutes in an injury-cruelled 2011 season.
The five-eighth will be part of a squad likely to feature up to 24 players, as Furner looks to establish combinations immediately.
Canberra hosts Melbourne in round one of the NRL on March 3 and a handful of positions, particularly the centres and hooker, remain up for grabs.
''The way I'm leaning is bringing down a full squad, because I think it's important to get those combinations,'' Furner said.
''That means I need to try and get those [All Stars] players backing up to play again. We need to talk to those guys that played on Saturday, and see how much game time we give them.''
The only first-team regulars who remain in doubt are outside backs Blake Ferguson (hamstring) and Jarrod Croker (jarred knee).
Ferguson trained well yesterday and is a likely starter, but Croker will be given until later in the week to prove his fitness.
''We won't risk them if they're not right,'' Furner said.
''Fergo ran today [yesterday] so if he pulls up well he's a likely starter, Croker's probably the one [that's uncertain].
''It means someone like Jack Wighton may get an opportunity on that left side.''
Furner plans to give Campese around 60 minutes of game time in his first match since round 13 in early June last year.
Joel Thompson will spend time at centre and second row, while off-season recruit Shaun Berrigan is also set to alternate between centre and hooker.
Trial match: Canberra Raiders v Melbourne Storm at Lavington Oval, Albury, 7pm.
This reporter is on Twitter: @tuxy81
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