JAMES STUART is set to make his debut on the wing for Canberra tonight, less than two years after a nerve condition threatened to end his career. Raiders coach David Furner has made two late changes to his starting team to take on Brisbane at Canberra Stadium, with Stuart replacing Reece Robinson and halfback Josh McCrone forcing his way in for Marc Herbert.
Australian prop David Shillington missed yesterday's captain's run because of food poisoning, but Furner was adamant he would play.
While Furner did not confirm Stuart's promotion, the 21-year-old spent the majority of yesterday's session playing outside centre Jarrod Croker. Stuart missed most of the 2008 season with compartment syndrome, a painful compression of the nerves in his lower legs, before returning to football with Queensland Cup side Souths Logan last year.
''I'm confident if Jimmy does play,'' Furner said. ''He's a very aggressive and very solid defender and he's got tremendous speed.''
Herbert played for Souths Logan on Saturday after being axed just one game into the season.
McCrone now has the chance to stamp himself as the Raiders' first-choice No.7 for the remainder of the season and beyond.
Neither player is under contract for next season, making it vital for McCrone to perform if he wants to remain in Canberra.
Furner was confident the 22-year-old would help spark a Raiders attack that struggled for the majority of last week's 34-16 loss to Penrith. ''I'm looking at playing a different style against the Broncos and that change for Josh McCrone suits that,'' Furner said. ''Just the style that he can play [compared to] Herbert, it'll probably give us a little more in attack.
''They've both got their attributes to bring to the team, but Joshy's picked in there to play the Broncos.''
NSW State of Origin forward Tom Learoyd-Lahrs also participated in the majority of yesterday's training session, which was held in front of several hundred fans including formula one star Mark Webber.
But Learoyd-Lahrs said he hadn't fully recovered from the knee injury he suffered in the pre-season and did not want to be a liability against the Broncos. He is almost certain to make his return against the Gold Coast on Saturday night.
Learoyd-Lahrs is one of six regular first-graders who are on the injured list just one game into the season.
The loss of back-rowers Danny Galea and Josh Miller last week has paved the way for Joe Picker and Shaun Fensom to move into the starting side.
''It's a collision sport and it's going to happen,'' Furner said.
''But we've got Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Joel Monaghan, Danny Galea, Josh Miller out and Justin Carney and David Milne still coming back. That's six first-grade players, it does dwindle the squad which makes it hard. But other guys get their opportunities.''
Broncos lock Corey Parker didn't travel to Canberra with his teammates yesterday. Parker remained in Brisbane to await the birth of his first child. He will fly to Canberra today.
