History suggests there is no reason why the 20-year-old centre can't rise to the challenge again.

Cotric will return from a three-game suspension when the Raiders face the Sydney Roosters at Canberra Stadium on Sunday.

The young gun has passed every test of his first grade career with flying colours but never before has he been left for three weeks to dwell on a tackle gone wrong.

He returns in a vital clash which could put the Raiders in the box seat for a home qualifying final in the biggest club game of his 62-match career.

Ryan Sutton has overcome a calf injury to make his return while Joey Leilua's inclusion in the 21-man squad to take on the defending premiers has revived hopes the club's revolving door is now bolted shut.

Leilua's imminent return to Canberra's top 17 means - touch wood - the Green Machine will have reached the light at the end of a debilitating injury crisis.

The Raiders were once without 1082 games of first grade experience this season thanks to representative duties and an overflowing injury ward.

But they have risen above it to maintain their place in the top four on the road to the NRL finals.

Raiders five-eighth Jack Wighton says the return of Cotric and Leilua will be a huge boost as Canberra set their sights on a return to playoff football.

"It's definitely good having people coming back from injuries instead of being injured at this time of year," Wighton said.

"It's an important time of year, they're two class players so it'll be good to have them back in the team.

"It starts getting exciting this time of the year. We're going pretty well and we haven't been in this position for a little while. The intensity [comes from] just the excitement itself from the boys.

"We're not looking too far ahead because you can't. Every team in the comp is as good as one another, so you've just got to focus on yourself and be as ready as you can.

"I'm just excited in general. It's going to be a big test [against the Roosters], so that's all we're looking at."

Canberra's transformation from an excitement machine into a defensive powerhouse has attracted plenty of praise during a stunning revival.

That's not to say the attacking flair has vanished - the Raiders' latest outing saw them pile on the points across the ditch.

Canberra co-captain Josh Hodgson says their ability on both sides of the ball has the Raiders well-placed to topple one of their top four rivals for the first time this season.

"We've been under the pump for big periods of games, against teams that can put some points on you too, and we've defended really well," Hodgson said.

"A lot of the times when we've been under the pump, and we've countered, and gone down the other end and scored ourselves.

"That's been a real telling attribute for us. It's going to be another tough test this week, they all are in this comp.

"We've been doing pretty well when we've just been focusing on us."