It comes on top of some potential good news on the injury front for Raiders lock Ryan Sutton, whose chest injury is recovering better than first expected - bringing him back into the selection mix for the crucial clash against the Newcastle Knights at Lang Park on Saturday.

While Whitehead's contract's yet to be finalised, they have agreed to terms as the Raiders continue their re-signing spree that's already seen Sebastian Kris and Semi Valemei extend their deals.

They're also in talks to extend Harley Smith-Shields.

Raiders chief executive Don Furner said they will also look to open talks with Gold Coast hero Jordan Rapana.

Rapana's off-contract at the end of the season, but showed his value in a stunning display to help the Green Machine upset the Parramatta Eels on the Gold Coast on Thursday night.

The 31-year-old adapted to his switch from the wing to fullback brilliantly to become the fifth player Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has used in the No.1 jersey.

He ran for 212 metres, scored a try, made a match-winning, try-saving tackle in the dying seconds, made two line breaks and 12 tackle busts.

Rapana's also the Raiders' leading try scorer this season with 10, leads the team for run metres (2273m), line breaks (14), tackle busts (92) and kick-return metres (415m), and was third for try involvements (13).

"We will talk to Jordy. He knows we want to keep him. We'll go through that in the next couple of weeks," Furner said.

"It's a bit difficult when they're up there [in the Queensland bubble], but we want to keep him."

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Initially, Sutton's chest injury was expected to keep the forward on the sidelines for 1-2 weeks, but Stuart said it had improved significantly over the past 24 hours - bringing him back into the selection mix to face the Knights.

While Raiders five-eighth Jack Wighton missed the Eels win with a rib cartilage injury, Sutton's was a muscular issue.

It's a massive game for both teams in terms of their finals aspirations.

Their win over the Eels meant they started Sunday in eighth place on the NRL ladder - although Cronulla could jump back above them with a win over Canterbury.

The Raiders have won their past three games as they look to make a charge towards the finals over the final six rounds.

"The physios were a bit happier with it than first expected so it might be only a week - he might be OK and be available," Stuart said.

"[On Saturday] they said 1-2 [weeks], but it's pulled up really well. Fortunately it's not too bad."

Stuart said Raiders hooker Josh Hodgson's corked leg had also pulled up well, while he would know more about a raft of injured players throughout the week.

Wighton (ribs), Whitehead (shoulder), Dunamis Lui (calf), Corey Horsburgh (wrist) and Bailey Simonsson (toe) were all close to being in the selection mix to face the Knights.

"I'll know definitely more by Wednesday once we see Jack get a bit more movement - he won't do any collision just at the moment," Stuart said.

"Elliott will probably do a bit of physical work [on Monday. The other three] are just about to do contact training."

NRL ROUND 20

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Newcastle Knights at Lang Park, 5.30pm.