Wests Tigers Head Coach Ivan Cleary has confirmed that Benji Marshall will play in Saturday's season opener at ANZ Stadium against the Sydney Roosters.
Reports earlier in the week had suggested the 33-year-old would miss the match with a calf injury, but Cleary was quick to dismiss the notion that Marshall would miss his return game — instead highlighting his energy and enthusiasm around the group in the build up to Saturday's blockbuster clash.
"He's in," Cleary told reporters at today's media session.
"No concern with his calf."
"It's good to have Benji back. It's good to see him genuinely happy.
"It's really good to see someone who has done so much for the club really want to come back and love the club — it's definitely a positive for us to have and for the squad."
Marshall is one of seven new faces set to feature against the Roosters tomorrow, with six club debutants all confirmed to feature in Saturday's showdown against the competition favourites.
In his first game for the club in 1646 days, the Life Member will come off the bench at some point in the match — perhaps spelling Pita Godinet at hooker or moving in to the halves as had been speculated by Josh Reynolds — but Cleary wasn't giving any secrets away about his role tomorrow.
"I've got a plan," he said with a smirk.
"We'll leave it at that."
Wests Tigers will kick off against the Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium from 4:30pm on Saturday.
