Manly coach Geoff Toovey said last night it appeared likely injured winger David ''Wolfman'' Williams would be cleared to make his comeback from serious injury in the World Club Challenge.
Williams hasn't played since breaking his neck last August, in the round-25 game against Melbourne at Brookvale Oval that otherwise became infamous for brawling and subsequent, multiple suspensions.
The NSW and Australian representative was not included in the 31-man Sea Eagles squad for tomorrow night's trial game against Cronulla at Toyota Stadium, but Toovey said he had made significant progress recently in his recovery.
The WCC game against Leeds, at Headingley, will be played on February 17, and Manly has not scheduled a game between that fixture and the hit-out against the Sharks.
Now that wingers Michael Robertson and Will Hopoate have moved on from Manly, Williams is clearly the stand-out winger among those left on the playing roster. Michael Oldfield and Ben Farrar are the other main wing options.
Under those circumstances, it is vital for the club that Williams makes a successful comeback, and Toovey said the signs were good.
''The advice I'm getting from the medical staff regarding David's progress so far is that he should be OK for the trip to England,'' Toovey said.
''He has increased his work at training recently and has done a little bit of contact, and now he has to get a clearance for full contact.
''We're hoping that clearance will come in the next week or two, and if that's the case he'll be able to play against Leeds. David himself is the most confident man I know, so he's really keen to get back out there as soon as he can, but we have to make the right decision in terms of the timing.''
Forwards Tony Williams and Joe Galuvao are also expected to be fit for the trip to England.
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