Leilua has made a stunning recovery from spinal surgery on a bulging disc and was named on an extended Raiders bench for the massive clash against the Sydney Roosters at Canberra Stadium on Sunday.

But Stuart said he would wait until later in the week before making the call on whether Leilua plays in a game that he hoped would have a semi-finals-like atmosphere.

Nick Cotric has been named at right centre in his return from a three-game suspension, but he could shift to the left wing to make way for Leilua.

Stuart said Leilua was close to playing his 200^th NRL game and he wouldn't treat the star centre cautiously now that he's been given the all clear.

He said the fact they were playing the defending premiers would also come into his calculations.

"I'm not sure yet. The dynamic of the whole team, the balance of the whole team is something that's quite crucial," Stuart said.

"Especially playing against the premiers. They're a quality football team and whether you have an outside back on the bench, whether you have him starting or sitting out is a decision I'll make on the back end of the week."

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There's also the option of Leilua gaining match fitness through the Mounties, who play the Bulldogs in the NSW Cup at Blacktown on Sunday.

It's producing a selection headache of the good kind for Stuart, who has close to a full squad to choose from again.

He could be forced to leave Bailey Simonsson out after the winger made a stunning start to his NRL career.

Simonsson's scored seven tries in 13 games since making his NRL debut in the season opener.

Ryan Sutton (calf) also came back onto the bench after missing the past four games.

Having that competition for places is something Stuart wants to help drive their run to the finals.

"I'd much prefer to have that than what I've had over many years of coaching where you're looking around thinking, 'Who can I pick?'," he said.

"There's been times where you're really thinking you haven't got that depth. Having that bit of quality of depth is really important."

Stuart put Leilua through a second pre-season to get his fitness back after he could only do very small amounts of exercise in the days after surgery.

"BJ's a big, explosive-style player and those type of players it's always difficult when you've got to try and pur kilometres and metres in their legs because they prefer the short-sharp type of hard work," Stuart said.

"But we had to put a few Ks into his legs again after having so much time out.

"It's hard work, but he's fronted up and done it and that's a credit to him.

"He's had to have two pre-seasons in one season. Now he just needs match fitness."

The Raiders are hoping for a crowd of 18,000-20,000, which Stuart felt would be fitting for the top-four clash.

"We've got a very tough crowd and we're going to need it this week with the cool change in the weather," he said.

"It would be great to have a semi-final atmosphere."

NRL ROUND 21

Sunday: Canberra Raiders v Sydney Roosters at Canberra Stadium, 2pm.

Raiders squad: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Bailey Simonsson, 3. Jarrod Croker (C), 4. Nick Cotric, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson (C), 10. Sia Soliola, 11. John Bateman, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Joe Tapine. Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Dunamis Lui, 16. Corey Horsburgh, 17. Ryan Sutton, 18. Sam Williams, 19. Joey Leilua, 20. Emre Guler, 21. Michael Oldfield.

Roosters squad: 1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Latrell Mitchell, 4. Joseph Manu, 5. Brett Morris, 6. Luke Keary, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9. Sam Verrills, 10. Isaac Liu, 11. Angus Crichton, 12. Mitchell Aubusson, 13. Victor Radley. Interchange: 14. Nat Butcher, 15. Zane Tetevano, 16. Poasa Faamausili, 17. Sitili Tupouniua, 18. Lindsay Collins, 19. Drew Hutchison, 20. Matt Ikuvalu, 21. Lachlan Lam.