Isaah Yeo has fully returned to contact training with Penrith, as the talented lock moves closer to rejoining the Panthers in September.
He was listed in the reserves for the final match against Wests Tigers, and there is a reasonable chance he could play this Sunday.
The 31-year-old has been sidelined since round 23 after choosing to postpone surgery for a pectoral injury, with hopes of returning for the elimination finals.
Sources indicate he began tackling and contact drills last week.
Teammates are uncertain if their co-captain will be ready for the Tigers game, but Yeo remarked to the media on Monday that his recovery is progressing well.
Yeo's impending comeback comes as Lindsay Smith has stepped up into the No.13 position, likely shifting to lock once Yeo is back.
"It's been enjoyable, but obviously hopefully we get Yeoy back soon," Smith expressed to AAP on Wednesday.
"When I play front row, I'm not a traditional front-rower. I try to ball-play a little bit more as well. So it's not been too dissimilar.
"And even playing front row, I've learned things off Yeoy and tried to sort of mirror certain parts of my game around what he does.
"And to learn off the best in the world is pretty special."
Penrith will also welcome back hooker Mitch Kenny, providing a significant boost ahead of the finals, having been out since breaking his leg in round seven.
With Kenny and Nathan Cleary on the field together since 2023, the Panthers boast a 76 percent win rate, with Kenny crucial for both line speed and service.
Smith believes Kenny is among the most underrated players in the NRL, and noted how smoothly Penrith has transitioned from Api Koroisau in recent seasons.
"He's an amazing player. Hopefully in the near future, a representative player too," Smith said.
"Freddy (Lussick) has done an amazing job while Kenny's been out.
"But to have Kenny back, he brings so much energy with the ball and without the ball. I can't wait to get back out there."
Unlike the Sydney Roosters and Cronulla, Penrith has chosen not to rest players in the final round.
The Warriors are also expected to field a full-strength side against Manly, as only a single for-and-against point separates them from the Panthers in the minor premiership chase, which also comes with $100,000 in prize money.
Although the finals offer few differences between first and second places, the week leading to the grand final provides benefits like training time selection, media scheduling, change room arrangements, and jersey choices.
"The biggest thing (playing this week) is cohesion," Smith noted.
"Week in, week out, you want to play your best footy. And I feel like we're coming to a good point."