Manly coach Geoff Toovey has described David Williams ''as good as new'' after the winger recovered from a broken neck in time to be named in Manly's World Club Challenge squad yesterday.
Williams was taken from the field in a stretcher and his head in a neck brace in Manly's now infamous round 25 ''fight night'' victory against the Melbourne Storm at Brookvale Oval last year.
But Toovey had no hesitation naming the 25-year-old in the 20-man squad for the match against Leeds on February 17, hopeful it was the final setback in a career dogged by injury.
''He's a vital member of our team and I'm sure he's looking forward to it more than anyone else,'' Toovey said last night.
''The specialists always said he'd be fine and that he should come back as good as new, it's just a matter of him becoming confident in himself again.
''He's had so many injuries over the last couple of years so he's quite used to the ups and downs of football, but because he's such an upbeat person, he'll always bounce back and this is a great reward for him.''
Co-captain Jason King, who made his return from a season-ending pectoral injury in last Saturday night's trial against Cronulla, has also been included in the squad.
King tore his pectoral muscle against the Roosters in round 22 and as a result missed Manly's premiership victory.
Tony Williams has also recovered from the quadricep strain that forced him to withdraw from Saturday's NRL All Stars clash to take his place in the squad.
''That was just a precautionary thing,'' Toovey said.
''Wayne Bennett realised he was going over for the World Club Challenge and he didn't want him to make it worse by playing.
''He thought he was best off going and resting. He'll be fine.''
Michael Oldfield was named on the wing to partner Williams but Toovey isn't set on Will Hopoate's replacement just yet.
He said the team released yesterday may change come game day and the vacant wing position was still up in the air, with Oldfield, Ben Farrar and Dean Whare all fighting for the spot.
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