Player updates: Hodgson, Fulton, Morley

Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens says captain Brett Hodgson and lock Liam Fulton may play again this season if the Tigers reach the finals. Hodgson was expected to miss the rest of the year with a knee injury but is recovering strongly and could make a comeback if the reigning premiers venture deep into this year's finals series.

Fulton had been ruled out indefinitely with a shoulder injury but he too could be a surprise inclusion for the Tigers later this year. Sheens meanwhile says the Tigers are confident of becoming the first team to beat the Storm in Melbourne this year when they clash on Saturday night at Olympic Park.

Meanwhile, Suspended Sydney Roosters prop Adrian Morley is confident of recovering in time for the Tri-Nations tournament after undergoing wrist surgery this week.

Morley, whose NRL career effectively ended when he received a seven-game ban for kneeing Bulldogs hooker Corey Hughes a fortnight ago, finally went under the knife on Monday afternoon to correct an injury he has carried for four months.

The Warrington-bound forward is hoping to be fit for Great Britain's opening Tri-Nations encounter against New Zealand on October 28, although an arthritic complication could add to the expected recovery time of 12 weeks.