Mitch Moses will have at best one game to cement his State of Origin case after the injured NSW hopeful was left out of Parramatta's side for Magic Round.
It comes as Braydon Trindall looms as a possible in for Cronulla, selected on the extended bench to face the Sydney Roosters despite allegedly failing roadside drug and alcohol tests last month.
Moses' fellow Blues contender Nicho Hynes has been named to return from a calf injury for the Sharks after undertaking a lighter training session on Tuesday.
A natural replacement for halfback Nathan Cleary amid the Blues' injury crisis, three-time NSW representative Moses has been sidelined with a foot fracture since round four.
Parramatta coach Brad Arthur had been hopeful of his selection chances for Magic Round, but on Tuesday named Dylan Brown at halfback to face Melbourne and recalled Daejarn Asi to replace Ethan Sanders.
It means Moses will have at best only one clash to impress Michael Maguire, with the Eels facing lowly South Sydney the day before the new Blues coach names his side for the June 5 series opener.
Elsewhere, Sharks five-eighth Trindall could be rushed into the side for his first game since late April, when he allegedly returned a breath analysis reading of 0.124 and had an illicit drug in his system while driving on an expired licence
The Sharks initially stood Trindall down, though he was not subject to the NRL's no-fault stand-down policy and has since returned to training.
He could be rushed in to partner Daniel Atkinson in the event Hynes does not pull up for Magic Round.
Roosters star Joey Manu misses the clash with concussion, bringing Junior Pauga into the centres.
Decimated South Sydney welcome back Alex Johnston, Jacob Gagai and Taane Milne as much-needed reinforcements for the clash against fellow strugglers North Queensland.
The Cowboys have Murray Taulagi and Jordan McLean back on deck from hamstring injuries.
Canberra veteran Jordan Rapana returns from his knee injury and will start at fullback against Canterbury, while Xavier Coates is back from his hamstring issue for Melbourne's clash with the Eels.
Manly have named Tolu Koula at fullback in the absence of the injured Tom Trbojevic, with opponents Brisbane bringing back Jock Madden to replace Josh Rogers in the halves.
Tyson Smoothy has been named at hooker in place of the injured Billy Walters (wrist) and has Blake Mozer for back-up on the bench.
As expected, Jack Cole will partner Jarome Luai in the halves for Penrith, who begin a two-month stint without the injured Nathan Cleary by facing the Warriors.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad joins Te Maire Martin in the halves for the Warriors, as Shaun Johnson (pectoral) begins what the club hopes is a short-term injury lay-off.
Taine Tuaupiki is set to start at fullback for his first game since round three, while Ali Leiataua replaces Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (hamstring) in the centres.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is back from a hamstring injury to face Wests Tigers, so in-form Trai Fuller drops to 18th man.
Alex Seyfarth and Samuela Fainu make up a new-look second row for the Tigers, who have lost John Bateman and Isaiah Papali'i to a pectoral injury and suspension, respectively.
