The Green Machine have named both Queensland forward Papalii and NSW squad member Nick Cotric to back up less than 48 hours after the Origin series opener in Melbourne.

The Raiders are also keeping a close eye on the progress of hooker Josh Hodgson, who is almost back to full training and could make an early comeback if he continues his rapid improvement.

Hodgson had hoped to be back on the field for the Raiders' clash against the Brisbane Broncos at Canberra Stadium on June 30.

The Raiders could opt to take a cautious approach with his return from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, given they have a bye the week before playing the Broncos.

But the English hooker trained with the side this week and completed almost all drills, slightly opening the door if he's ready to play against the Wests Tigers next week.

"[Hodgson] is a massive key to is going well. [Siliva Havili] has done a great job for us playing No. 9 this year and to have Josh back, he's calm in the middle and gets is around the middle. He'll be a big asset when he comes back," said Raiders second-rower Elliott Whitehead.

The Raiders have added 20-year-old prop Emre Guler to an extended bench to play the Panthers as Canberra chases back to back wins.

The Panthers are equal first on the ladder, but will have four players backing up from Origin duties - rookies Nathan Cleary, Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Tyrone Peachey as well as James Maloney.

Canberra winger Cotric has been with the Blues squad since last week as the 19th man, while Papalii will be Queensland's most experienced forward in the clash at the MCG on Wednesday.

The Raiders will likely delay the timing of their final training session on Thursday to give Papalii and Cotric as much time as possible to prepare.

"The Panthers have been playing some good footy and they're at the top of the table, so they're going to be a big challenge for us," Whitehead said.

"Hopefully we've found a bit of form now and we can kick on and get the two points.

"[The Panthers players] are probably good at backing up and they're going to have a good game. Papa has done it in the past for us, so hopefully he comes through unscathed. He'll be a big key for us."

Papalii has been shifted to lock and Sia Soliola will move to the second-row as the Raiders wait for Joe Tapine to return from suspension.

Canberra started to generate momentum when they scored a heart-stopping one-point win against Manly two weeks before having the bye last weekend.

Aidan Sezer kicked a field goal to lift the Raiders to victory against Manly, breaking the shackles of a run of defeats in close games.

"A lot of media have been giving it to us and telling us we can't win close games," Whitehead said.

"To get that [win] and prove we can will give us a good confidence boost. Hopefully win a few more and keep it going."

NRL ROUND 14

Friday: Canberra Raiders v Penrith Panthers at Canberra Stadium, 6pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.

Raiders: 1. Jack Wighton, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Jarrod Croker (c), 4. Joseph Leilua, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Blake Austin, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Dunamis Lui, 9. Siliva Havili, 10. Shannon Boyd, 11. Iosia Soliola, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Josh Papalii. Interchange from: 14. Ata Hingano, 15. Luke Bateman, 16. Charlie Gubb, 17. Liam Knight, 18. Emre Guler, 19. Michael Oldfield, 20. Jack Murchie, 21. Craig Garvey.

Panthers: 1. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 2. Christian Crichton, 3. Tyrone Peachey, 4. Dean Whare, 5. Tyrone Phillips, 6. James Maloney (c), 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Trent Merrin, 9. Sione Katoa, 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 11. Corey Harawira-Naera, 12. Isaah Yeo, 13. James Fisher-Harris. Interchange from: 14. Wayde Egan, 15. Kaide Ellis, 16. Viliame Kikau, 17. James Tamou, 18. Jarome Luai, 19. Tyrone May, 20. Thomas Eisenhuth, 21. Nick Lui-Toso, 22. Caleb Aikins, 23. Liam Martin