As the New Zealand Warriors gear up for their upcoming finals match against the Dolphins, they may soon receive a major boost with the potential return of Jackson Ford.
Ford has been sidelined for 12 weeks due to a torn pectoral muscle, but reports from CODE Sports indicate he is targeting a comeback just in time for Saturday's clash.
Before his injury, Ford was enjoying an outstanding season, positioning himself as a candidate for the NSW Blues in Game 3, only to miss out shortly before the decisive match.
In addition to his strong performances, he was a contender for the Dally M award during the season's first half.
If he is declared fit, Ford is likely to be an automatic choice, presenting a selection challenge for coach Andrew Webster, especially given the impressive performance of his current interchange forwards.
Tanner Stowers-Smith and Demitric Vaimauga have excelled in their roles, effectively compensating for the Warriors' established starting duo of James Fisher-Harris and Mitchell Barnett.
The Warriors had confirmed Ford's recovery timeline in June, indicating that this weekend aligns well for his potential return.
Additionally, winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is also on track to return soon, just three weeks after undergoing surgery for a fractured collarbone sustained in Round 25.
Webster seems open to allowing players the opportunity to demonstrate their fitness as the match approaches.
Historically, the Warriors have shown they can excel on significant occasions, recently delivering an impressive performance against the Panthers at Go Media Stadium.