Croker is nine games short of reaching his milestone 300^th NRL game but is yet to play a game this season.

He had an interrupted 2021 season due to injury, and over the off-season was recovering from stem cell surgery on his knee only to have a back issue re-emerge. That forced him to sit out the opening games of the season despite playing in the trials.

In NSW Cup Croker has been finding form again, scoring a try in the last three games and proving accurate with the boot too.

Stuart confirmed Croker will play Friday, and will also take on the goal-kicking duties again.

"It's fantastic to be able to bring Jarrod back into the team," Stuart told The Canberra Times.

"Bringing Jarrod back gives us a lot of experience. He has done everything we needed him to do.

"He's now training after games, he doesn't have to have days off, he has gone back like the club man he is and the professional he is to NSW Cup and got some really good minutes and come back with confidence into the NRL."

Croker had a boisterous, elated reception from teammates at training upon learning the news, doused with water and swamped by congratulations.

"It was very evident today at our session how much the boys like having Jarrod around," Stuart said.

"It's great. He is one of our favourites and the boys get a lot of energy out of having having him back in first grade."

The club legend's return will be a welcome sight at Canberra Stadium for the fans and the team as the Raiders currently languish in 14^th position on the ladder, riding a five-game losing streak, and now without five-eighth Jack Wighton.

Matt Frawley will replace Wighton after he was suspended for two matches for a dangerous throw in the Raiders' golden point loss to the Warriors last weekend.

Co-captain Whitehead will also be a much-needed addition having sat out the last two games following a freak accident at training that left the Englishman's lip badly split and teeth rearranged.

Still wearing braces under his mouthguard Whitehead said the added motivation to turnaround their fortunes will be playing in front of Raiders legends in attendance for the club's 40^th anniversary.

"I gave my mouth time to heal and looking forward to be back out there for a special occasion this weekend with all the old boys coming to watch. Hopefully we can get the win and get our season back on track," Whitehead said.

"Jarrod has always never let anybody down if you do your job... it'll be good for me to have him on alongside me as well.

"We have a lot of energy, everyone is very confident, and I think that's what we need. We can't come in to training and sulk about the performances, we have to look forward.

"Everyone knows that we're making too many errors and giving too much ball away."

Electric youngster Xavier Savage was sent to get a COVID-19 test on Tuesday afternoon having presented with symptoms and with a short turnaround to Friday's game he was omitted.

Semi Valemei is also out, with a minor knee injury expected to keep him sidelined for "one to two games" according to Stuart.

Jordan Rapana will move to the wing, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will be back in the No.1 jersey, and Adam Elliott will retain the starting hooker position with Tom Starling on the bench rotation.

"We need Charnze back to his best football because it's such an important position on the field," Stuart said.

"For 12 months we've lacked continuity in our spine, and nobody sees that or mentions that but the lack of cohesion and continuity of that through injury and other circumstances has been very damaging."

RAIDERS v BULLDOGS

Friday at Canberra Stadium, 6pm

Raiders: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Jarrod Croker, 4. Matthew Timoko, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Matt Frawley, 7. Brad Schneider, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Adam Elliott, 10. Joseph Tapine, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Ryan Sutton. Interchange: 14. Tom Starling, 15. Corey Harawira-Naera, 16. Sebastian Kris, 17. Corey Horsburgh. Reserves: 18. Harry Rushton, 19. Emre Guler, 20. Xavier Savage, 21. Trey Mooney, 22. Sam Williams, 23. James Schiller, 24. Peter Hola.

Bulldogs: 1. Matt Dufty, 2. Brent Naden, 3. Aaron Schoupp, 4. Jake Averillo, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Matt Burton, 7. Kyle Flanagan, 8. Luke Thompson, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Corey Waddell, 12. Tevita Pangai Junior, 13. Josh Jackson. Interchange: 14. Bailey Biondi-Odo. 15. Joe Stimson, 16. Max King, 17. Ava Seumanufagai. Reserves: 20. Jackson Topine, 19. Joshua Cook, 21. Brandon Wakeham, 22. Reece Hoffman, 23. Jayden Okunbor, 24. Paul Alamoti, 25. Chris Patolo.

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