10:20 am today

NRL: Johnson, Nicoll-Klokstad back for Eels clash

10:20 am today

Shaun Johnson and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad are both back for the Warriors' round 22 match against the Parramatta Eels at Go Media Stadium on Friday night.

Halfback Johnson has recovered from the long-standing Achilles complaint which side-lined him following round 16, and Nicoll-Klokstad has been cleared to return at fullback after succumbing to a calf injury in round 18. His inclusion means Te Maire Martin drops to the extended bench, with Chanel Harris-Tavita retaining the five eighth spot.

Also coming off the injury list this week is standoff Luke Metcalf, who lines up for the club's New South Wales Cup side against the Eels on Friday night after being out since breaking his leg more than four months ago.

While Johnson, Nicoll-Klokstad and Metcalf are set for comebacks, Jackson Ford is out with a knee injury, ending his run as the only player to have appeared in each of the Warriors' 19 games so far this season.

The starting pack remains the same for the fourth successive match and are coming off a 28-16 win over the Tigers last weekend. The match against the Eels will be in front of another sold out crowd at Mt Smart, with the Warriors confirming this week that they have become the first club history to sell out every match of an NRL season.

Warriors v Eels

Kick-off: 8pm, Friday 2 August

Go Media Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland

Live blog coverage on RNZ Sport

Warriors (six to be omitted): 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Moala Graham-Taufa 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell (c) Barnett 11. Marata Niukore 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Dylan Walker

Reserves: 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Tom Ale 16. Jazz Tevaga 17. Leka Halasima 18. Demitric Sifakula 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Te Maire Martin 22. Edward Kosi 23. Bunty Afoa

Eels (five to be omitted): 1. Clinton Gutherson (c) 2. Jake Tago 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Blaize Talagi 5. Sean Russell 6. Dylan Brown 7. Daejarn Asi 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Brendan Hands 10. Wiremu Greig 11. Shaun Lane 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Ryan Matterson

Reserves: 14. Joey Lussick 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Luca Moretti 17. Dan Keir 18. Ethan Sanders 19. Matthew Arthur 20. Matt Doorey 21. Morgan Harper 22. Makahesi Makatoa