Adam Reynolds,
Matt Moylan also racing the clock ahead of round 20.
Newcastle are expecting Pearce to pull through and be a late inclusion in their crucial clash against the Raiders, while
Kalyn Ponga and
Round 20 Late Mail
Roosters v Eels, Thursday 7.50pm at BB Print Stadium, Mackay
Roosters: International prop Siosiua Taukeiaho has been named to return from a hamstring injury via the interchange bench but will need to get through a final training run on Wednesday. Fletcher Baker is on standby.
Veteran centre Josh Morris returns to the side in place of the luckless Billy Smith, who is gone for the season with an ankle injury.
NRL 2021: Luke Thompson found guilty at judiciary, suspended for three weeks nrl.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nrl.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
If all goes to plan for coach Justin Holbrook, David Fifita won t start for Gold Coast any time soon after his bold call to unleash his marquee man from the bench had spectacular results on Sunday.
A fired-up Fifita was unstoppable at times, wreaking havoc off the interchange to inspire a 32-10 thumping of St George Illawarra at Cbus Super Stadium and keep the Titans finals dream alive.
It was almost men against boys as Fifita scored a barnstorming 34th-minute try and set up another, finishing with two line breaks, one line break assist and 13 tackle busts while running 127 metres.
NRL 2021: St George Illawarra Dragons v Gold Coast Titans, round 19 preview nrl.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nrl.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Eels v Raiders, Thursday 7.50pm at Cbus Super Stadium
Eels: Mitchell Moses has been ruled out of Thursday night s clash against the Raiders due to a back fracture suffered in Origin III so Jake Arthur will play halfback again this week.
Tom Opacic is also out and his place in the centres is taken by Will Penisini on debut, while Blake Ferguson has been recalled for his first game since round 12 at the expense of Haze Dunster.
Joey Lussick and Makahesi Makatoa were the first two players cut 24 hours before kick-off.
The Eels have won their past three games against the Raiders.