Arvo wrap

North Queensland lock Sione Faumuina has been suspended for three matches after pleading guilty to a high tackle on Bulldogs backrower Sonny Bill Williams on Friday night.

The former New Zealand Test representative will miss the Cowboys' matches against the Sharks, Roosters and Storm after collecting the Bulldogs backrower with a swinging arm in the Cowboys' 26-16 win at Suncorp Stadium.

All five players charged from weekend matches accepted early guilty pleas, with South Sydney prop Jaiman Lowe suspended for four games after pleading guilty to a striking charge for his knockout blow to Gold Coast centre Brett Delaney. Manly's Anthony Watmough and Penrith duo Frank Pritchard and Michael Gordon all escaped suspension with early guilty pleas to their charges.

Competition leaders Manly could be boosted by the return of veteran backrower Steve Menzies for Friday night's match against with Penrith at CUA Stadium. Menzies has missed the Sea Eagles' rise to the top of the competition after suffering an abdominal strain in round one.

But Manly coach Des Hasler says Menzies is coming back into the selection picture and he will decide later this week if he's to be a late inclusion in the squad to face the Panthers.

Hasler says he won't be taking any risks and has no need to rush Menzies back given the recent form of his side, who beat premiership favourites Melbourne on Saturday.