Newcastle Knights coach Brian Smith believes Feleti Mateo and Eric Grothe could make unexpected returns for Parramatta in tomorrow night's crucial clash at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
Neither Mateo nor Grothe have been named in Parramatta's line-up but Smith said yesterday he was "pretty sure" Meteo would play and would not be surprised if Grothe did, too.
Mateo, the dynamic Tongan five-eighth, has missed the past two games with a a knee injury. Former international winger Grothe has not been in the top grade since round 12 against Brisbane and has been languishing in Parramatta feeder team Wentworthville.
Eels coach Michael Hagan insisted during the week Mateo would not be considered for the Knights game but it seems Smith is not convinced.
Asked yesterday about the dangers of Eels centres Krisnan Inu and Jarryd Hayne, Smith replied: "They're two of the players in their squad that have got tremendous strikepower, but they've got more than that as well.
"It won't surprise me if Eric Grothe and Feleti Mateo play."
Smith said his information was that Grothe would have played last weekend against North Queensland except he was injured. Smith expects that Grothe will replace Taulima Tautai on Parramatta's right wing.
