Metcalf returns in TLT shock

The game-breaker is a among several players back on deck for Friday's clash with the Tigers.

Luke Metcalf is set to make an ahead-of-schedule return from an ACL injury at five-eighth in Friday’s Round 4 clash with Wests Tigers in Auckland.

Slated for a Round 7-10 comeback, Metcalf has been named to partner on-fire No.7 Tanah Boyd in the halves.

Boyd’s brilliant form throughout the Warriors’ 3-0 start rendered him undroppable in the minds of fans and pundits — and Andrew Webster has agreed. Usual No.6 Chanel Harris-Tavita has been named in the No.19 jersey after missing last week on concussion protocols, while last week’s debutant, Luke Hanson, goes back to NSW Cup.

The Warriors also get Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (concussion) and Adam Pompey (family reasons) back, which sees Taine Tuaupiki drop to the reserves and Leka Halasima revert to the second-row.

Morgan Gannon (concussion) is out, while Marata Niukore is in the No.18 jersey after making a solid NRL return last week with Tanner Stowers-Smith listed in the No.17.

Wests Tigers are without million-dollar five-eighth Jarome Luai (knee), but halfback Adam Doueihi (hamstring) has been named. Jock Madden comes into the halves for Luai and Latu Fainu (shoulder) is in the reserves.

The Tigers’ 17 is otherwise unchanged after Saturday’s 20-16 loss to Souths in Gosford. Ex-Warriors Bunty Afoa (No.18) and Patrick Herbert (No.22) are in the wider squad.

Joining Hanson in the NSW Cup side for the encounter with Western Suburbs Magpies at Mount Smart Stadium is winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira, centre Sio Kali and debutant hooker Braelan Marsh - son of 2002 grand final No.9 PJ Marsh.

Kayliss Fatialofa and Eddie Ieremia-Toeva have been named in the second-row with 17-year-old sensation Bishop Neal moving to the interchange.

Jett Cleary is out, which allows Jack Thompson to retain a spot in the halves alongside Hanson.