Cronulla halfback Shaun Johnson will make his long-awaited return to the field against Canterbury, headlining a mass return of injured NRL stars in round seven.

Sydney Roosters hooker Sam Verrills and Melbourne skipper Dale Finucane have been named to return, while St George Illawarra halfback Ben Hunt will be given every chance to play on Sunday as he races back into contention after his broken leg.

Johnson has been sidelined since round 19 last season when he ruptured his achilles tendon in a loss to Sydney Roosters.

Following the sacking of head coach John Morris last week, the inclusion of Johnson is a huge boost for the Sharks as they face a second week without skipper Wade Graham due to concussion.

Johnson is named on the interchange bench against the Bulldogs as the Sharks ease him back into fitness.

The Roosters have also been granted a massive boost, with Verrills named to return from an ACL injury he suffered in round seven of last season.

His comeback boosts the hooking stocks of the club who have been desperately short of dummy halves following the recent retirement of skipper Jake Friend.

Fears of a growing casualty list have also been eased with Siosiua Taukeiaho and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves both named against the Dragons despite failing to finish last week's loss to Melbourne.

It comes as St George Illawarra eye an early return for Hunt for Sunday's Anzac Day clash at Sydney Cricket Ground.

The Dragons skipper has been sidelined for just three weeks with the fractured fibula he sustained against Manly in round three but has been named on the extended bench to face the Roosters.

He will need to pass a rigorous training session this week to be cleared to play.

"He's been training, he's been running," said Hunt's halves partner Corey Norman. "He said it feels pretty good and if he's right it'll be a good inclusion.

"He was in terrific form before he broke his leg ... If he's back playing we're looking forward to it."

Following Sunday's 20-14 loss to the Warriors, coach Anthony Griffin said the 31-year-old was "a chance, but not a strong chance" to feature against the Roosters.

In contrast to Hunt's bravery, Norman has labelled himself "a little sook" after being cleared of a shoulder injury he suffered on Sunday.

"It was a grade three carry on," he joked on Tuesday.

"I got the scan yesterday and it wasn't too much. I'll be right."

Meanwhile, Storm star Ryan Papenhuyzen will miss Sunday's match against the Warriors with a shoulder injury but Finucane is in line for his first appearance of the season.

The Melbourne captain has been sidelined since the end of last year with a troublesome calf injury but has been named on the interchange bench.