Defending Peter McDonald Premiership champions Forbes Magpies will welcome back one of their best just in time for a clash with Orange CYMS on Saturday.
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Co-coach Mitch Andrews will be back on field with the Magpies, Nick Greenhalgh has confirmed, after sitting out a round one loss against Mudgee to let a fractured finger fully recover.
"He was touch and go for Mudgee and decided not to risk it for the first round, but he's good to go which is pleasing - he's obviously a big in for us," Greenhalgh said.
It's been a number of weeks since the Magpies travelled to Mudgee to play an early Round 1 against the Dragons as a curtain-raiser for an NRL match.
Mudgee got the better of the Magpies that day 26-18 but Greenhalgh was happy with his side's efforts and he says anticipation for this weekend's Round 2 contest with Orange CYMS is high.
He's not underestimating the Group 10 side, who opened their season with a loss to Dubbo Macquarie Raiders on Sunday.
"I think they'll be a good challenge for us," he said, adding he's keen to open the Magpies' account with a home ground win.
"It's pretty exciting. The boys have been training for a couple of weeks without the reward on the weekend so it's time to get stuck into it.
"Everyone stayed positive and we've worked really hard so we can't complain but the boys are really keen to get out there this weekend and get amongst it that's for sure."
With the arrival of the Magpies' expected Fijian contingent delayed, the line-up will be pretty similar to the Round 1 contest against Mudgee.
"There's a couple of guys that are away but there's a couple of guys who have played first grade before so we'll welcome them back in," Greenhalgh said.
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