Wests Tigers Skipper Aaron Woods has given every indication that he is a chance to return to the playing field this week against the Bulldogs.
The star forward has been sidelined since his side's round six loss to the Newcastle Knights and with a full week of training ahead of him, the 25 year old is hoping his ankle can put through the week and be ready for the Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon.
“"I did my first session with the squad today," Woods told weststigers.com.au.
"I've just got to see how it pulls up this week.
"I'd love to play this week, but I've got to wait and see how it goes.
"We saw the surgeon last week and he just said come back against Newcastle. So that's the goal, to get there definitely for Newcastle, but if it pulls up good this week, it might be a chance of the Dogs."
Woods also added that former Manly star Matt Ballin, who hasn't played for his new club since undergoing a knee reconstruction last year, is half of chance of lining up against the Bulldogs.
“He has worked that hard all pre-season and he is due back this week or next.
“We had him out there for a field session today. His talk and seniority around the place has been really good for us. He's a class player.”
Five-eighth Mitchell Moses and prop Tim Grant are both almost certain to return from injury this week against the Bulldogs.
Moses has overcome a groin injury that saw him withdraw from the Tigers win over the Rabbitohs in warm-up and the youngster is raring and ready to go after a week off.
“It’s all good now,” said Moses on weststigers.com.au.
“I got a few sessions in last week and I’ve had a full session today.
“I’ll be sweet and ready to go.”
Meanwhile, Tim Grant who sustained an ankle injury in the club’s heavy defeat to the Raiders in round eight is also confident he will be fit for the Bulldogs this week after speaking on weststigers.com.au earlier today.
“It’s been a hard two weeks, but in saying that I should be right for this weekend,” said Grant.
