Canberra centre Curtis Scott will be put through his paces at Friday's captain's run to prove his fitness ahead of the Roosters clash after leaving the field with a leg injury last weekend.
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And Raiders hard man John Bateman has backed the Melbourne Storm recruit to rediscover his best in the lime green, after an inconsistent first season in Canberra.
Scott came from the field in the second half of Sunday's win over Canterbury but was cleared of a broken leg earlier in the week, and named in Ricky Stuart's starting side to face the Tricolours on Saturday. He was, however, restricted to light training duties on Wednesday and is yet to be declared a certain starter this weekend.
The 22-year-old has a metal plate in his leg, stemming from a fractured fibula suffered four years ago in his debut season.
"I hope he does play, we've got a really good combination going at the minute, the last four or five weeks now since I've been back, that right edge of ours has been getting better," Bateman said.
"He's a good tough player, he's got some great experience coming from Melbourne so I hope he pulls through this week."
Bateman and Scott have started the last four matches alongside each other on Canberra's right-hand defensive edge, since the former returned from a lengthy shoulder layoff.
Some of Scott's performances have come under fire from Raiders fans this season, but Bateman said the 2017 premiership winner deserved his spot in the side.
"In the recent weeks and before that at the beginning of the year there were quite a lot of people bagging him and saying how he'd been going, it's just a confidence thing, the ability's there" Bateman said.
"As soon as we came in, that first week against Cowboys, it felt really good and he's been good for me as well. I had nine months out, not playing, he helped me settle in pretty easy. We're confident in each other, and I hope we can continue that combination.
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"When I came back and started training, I said to the boys you just do your thing and I promise I'll get there for you in defence. I'll work hard for you and get there just to take a little bit of pressure off them."
Raiders young gun Matt Timoko is on standby to take Scott's place in the centres, should he fail to prove his fitness.
Tomoko made his debut in the win over Canterbury, and declared after the match he would be "Ready for the challenge" if called upon again this weekend.
James Buckley
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
