Teams wrap

Sydney Roosters fullback Anthony Minichiello is likely to recover from a hamstring injury in time for his side's NRL clash with North Queensland in Townsville on Saturday night. The golden boot winner was sidelined for yesterday's 22-12 loss to St George Illawarra, but coach Ricky Stuart has named him to play the Cowboys and is confident he'll be fit.

St George Illawarra prop Jason Ryles will undergo scans today on a suspected broken hand suffered in yesterday's Anzac Day clash with the Sydney Roosters. Ryles left the field after only thirteen minutes of the match, won 22-12 by the Dragons, and is almost certain to be ruled out of contention for Friday week's Test match against New Zealand.

The Dragons front rower was making his return from a break to the same hand suffered in round four, but is now facing another lengthy stint on the sidelines. Dragons winger Wes Naiqama will also have scans on an ankle injury, while hooker Aaron Gorrell is in doubt for Saturday's trip to Melbourne to take on the Storm with a hip injury. Hooker Dean Young will return from suspension to take on Melbourne.

In other team news, former Kangaroos lock Scott Hill has been omitted from the Melbourne side to take on the Dragons despite being available after serving a two-week suspension for pushing a referee by coach Craig Bellamy, who claimed he couldn't find an opening in the red-hot Storm line-up for the classy pivot.

Hill, due back from a two-week suspension for pushing referee Jason Robinson to take on St George Illawarra on Saturday, will instead turn out for the club's feeder club North Sydney in the Premier League competition.

There?s a halfback crisis at the foot of the mountains has forced Penrith coach John Lang to hand hooker Luke Priddis the No.7 jumper for Friday night's home game against Cronulla. Former skipper Craig Gower (ribs) and back-up options Peter Wallace (knee) and Luke Lewis (knee) are all struggling with injury.

The Brisbane Broncos have recalled Queensland State of Origin forward Brad Thorn into their side for Saturday night's NRL clash with Canberra at Suncorp Stadium. Thorn has been named on a five-man bench after returning from a knee injury.

It's the only change to the team which beat Penrith 30-6 on the weekend. Fullback Karmichael Hunt and lock Tonie Carroll have been named but were rested during today's training session due to thigh injuries.

North Queensland coach Graham Murray has made several changes to his NRL team following last weekend's shock loss to Cronulla at Toyota Park. Murray has sent back-rower Steve Southern to the Queensland Wizard Cup with Justin Smith to switch from five-eighth to the second-row and Brett Firman promoted.

Firman will start at halfback against former club the Roosters on Saturday night and will partner reigning Dally M winner Johnathan Thurston in the halves. Cowboys skipper Travis Norton has been named at lock after missing the Sharks' clash with a calf strain but will have to prove his fitness later in the week.

And Canberra hooker Simon Woolford is likely to finish his career in England after Hull-bound coach Peter Sharp said he wanted the hooker at the Super League club next year. Woolford, off contract at the end of the season, is keen for at least one more year of football, with England the most likely destination because of his poor judiciary record in Australia.

It's understood current Hull hooker Richard Swain is contemplating retirement, increasing the chances of Woolford joining the club.