Latrell Mitchell has been named to return from his back injury just in time to figure in NSW's State of Origin plans.

The in-form centre is back in South Sydney's starting team for the Magic Round clash against the Dolphins, the Rabbitohs' last game before teams are picked for Origin I.

Mitchell had been expected to miss between one and two weeks with his lower back issue, but the 28-year-old has a history of long recovery times in recent years.

His return after one week is welcome news for Blues coach Laurie Daley, who is already contending without Liam Martin, Payne Haas and Tom Trbojevic.

Try-scoring ace Alex Johnston drops out of Souths' team with a knee injury and is replaced on a wing by Bayleigh Bentley-Hape.

After an impressive few weeks, in-form Ronald Volkman will keep prized recruit Jonah Pezet out of the halves for Parramatta's clash with Melbourne.

At Cronulla, talented winger Ronaldo Mulitalo returns from an anterior cruciate ligament injury for his first game of the season, with centre Jesse Ramien also back for the inconsistent Sharks.

Elsewhere, Jamal Fogarty has been named to return from his groin injury and replaces teen sensation Joey Walsh as Manly's halfback to face depleted Wests Tigers.

Latu Fainu starts at hooker for the first time in his NRL career after a tough afternoon for Tristan Hope in the Tigers' last-start loss to Melbourne.

Phillip Coates, younger brother of Melbourne flyer Xavier, makes his NRL debut for Brisbane, who have Adam Reynolds back from concussion to face the Warriors.

Australian Associated Press