Jones picked up the injury in his side's loss to Waratahs two weeks ago, and was a spectator last weekend as the Mallee Men continued their run of form against Tullibigeal Lakes United.

West Wyalong coach Mick Loudon confirmed this week the barnstorming Jones was fit enough to play in Roma, but did conceded he may not be 100 per cent for the clash. "He didn't play on the weekend, I don't think he's fully fit at the moment, but with another week up his sleeve I reckon he'll be all right," Loudon said.

Jones, who has previously represented Country at under 18s level, has made every post a winner in the last two months after being a late inclusion into the Group 20 side for their two state titles.

Yenda forward Steve Richards left the field late in his side's easy win over Yanco-Wamoon on Sunday after complaining of numbness in his left shoulder, but club officials told The Area News this week Richards was set to join the squad ahead of its week-long camp. Leeton's Luke Thompson missed a number of weeks at the start of the year due to injury, but coach Brad Purtell said Thompson's light duties in the past fortnight has refreshed him significantly.

Waratahs star Ben Jeffery was taken off at half-time last round after sustaining a cork to his quadricep, and while he has pulled up sore, he is expected to play after intensive physio, with the Tigers other representative, Graham Levu, making it through unscathed.