A back injury to young centre Matt Timoko could mean the Canberra Raiders legend will earn a recall after overcoming knee and back issues.

He's been stuck on 291 NRL games since August and played the past three weeks in the NSW Cup building his match fitness.

Timoko copped some knees in his back in the first half and while he was able to play on initially, he needed to be helped off the field by the trainer at half-time.

That was the end of his involvement in the 30-16 loss to the Melbourne Storm in Wagga Wagga on Saturday.

It meant Corey Harawira-Naera shifted to the centres for the rest of the game.

Croker's the natural option to come in on the left edge, although Sebastian Kris would be another option - if he can ever get out of isolation.

Timoko was hopeful of being fit to face the Cowboys - although the short turnaround to Thursday night's game could make it tough.

"[Croker's] going really well [in NSW Cup]. It's good that he's now getting some full training and games in," Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said.

A Hudson Young toe injury gave Raiders fans what they've been calling for - Ryan Sutton in the 17.

Stuart went back to a familiar starting middle of Josh Papalii and Joe Tapine in the front row, and Sutton at lock - with Elliott Whitehead returning to the second row.

The Raiders coach was unsure how long Young would be out for, having carried the injury for several weeks.

Sutton's been knocking on the door to get his first NRL game of the season, since signing with the Canterbury Bulldogs for next year.

He ended up with 59 run metres as part of a Raiders pack where only Joe Tapine (108m) broke the century.

With Timoko ruled out at half-time and Whitehead forced off with a head knock, Sutton found himself in the second row for part of the second half - a position he played at times for Wigan in the English Super League.

"He's got a problem with a toe joint that he's had for three or four weeks now," Stuart said of Young.

"It's only round five and I don't want him training one day a week so that's why I've sat him out."

While the Raiders are the kings of bush footy - playing three games there this season - Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy called for every team to take home games there.

The Raiders played Manly in Mudgee last week, the Storm in Wagga Wagga on Saturday and they'll head to Dubbo to face South Sydney next month.

Bellamy, who grew up in Portland near Bathurst, called for all clubs to play a home game in the bush - as well as playing their pre-season trials there.

"This might not be feasible, but I'd love to see every club be made each year to actually take one of their home games to a country area - in NSW and Queensland," Bellamy said.

"I think that'd be great for the game. And the other thing - it might be going over the top - I think most trial games should be played in country areas.

"That'd give the game in the bush a real shot in the arm.

"I'm not running the show, but there's probably negatives to that or they can't do that - but I'd like to see us head in that direction."

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