CRONULLA coach Ricky Stuart praised Ben Ross's amazing courage while Sharks doctor David Givney said: "I haven't seen a recovery as quick as this one before."
In one of rugby league's most courageous comebacks, Ross declared himself fit and ready to play premiers Melbourne at Olympic Park this weekend.
Ross was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital by ambulance after a horror head-clash with Manly prop Josh Perry last weekend.
But Ross has passed all his neurological and medical tests with "flying colours", according to Givney.
The former Queensland prop was having a special mouthguard fitted to tackle the Storm's premiership forward pack.
So keen is Ross to play, he actually visited Givney's Sutherland Shire home at 8pm on Tuesday - rather than wait for a surgery visit the following day - to take his tests.
Ross has had two of his teeth put back in, one is still missing.
"It's quite incredible that Ben has passed his balance, short-term memory and co-ordination tests," Stuart said. "He has passed all the tests required of him for a player that has been knocked out.
"The doctor actually said his test results were better than when he first took the test pre-season.
"Ben has been surprisingly fresh over the past few days.
"I will leave it in the doctor's hands and we will make a final decision on Saturday. We want to ensure there is no risk to Ben if he plays."
Stuart admired Ross's toughness: "Ben is a tough kid," he said.
"He is a lot tougher than what some people give him credit for. He plays the toughest position in the toughest sport in the world.
"He has a lot going for him."
Givney has not yet officially passed Ross fit but said the giant front-rower was making incredible medical progress.
"Originally it was going to be two weeks," Givney said.
"But Ben has passed all his neurological and medical tests with flying colours.
"We will still wait until the end of the week to make a final decision but Ben has come good so quickly.
"It looked a nasty injury but, despite him being knocked out, we were more concerned about his neck.
"I haven't seen a recovery as quick as this one before.
"But I know Ricky is worried about Ben's health rather than when he will play his next game of football."
Ross said he was ready to play again.
"I'm right to play, I'm ready to go," Ross told The Daily Telegraph. "The doctor has cleared me. Ricky has given me until Saturday to play but I've already told him that I will be playing.
"I feel good. I have passed all the tests for co-ordination, balance and memory."
