Dylan Edwards concern lingers over Panthers amid Nathan Cleary's return for NRL finals

The Panthers will welcome back Nathan Cleary for their qualifying final against the Sydney Roosters but reportedly still hold reservations about the fitness of star fullback Dylan Edwards. The Penrith No.1 has struggled with a right knee injury in recent weeks, with his in-game involvement well below usual levels.

Edwards picked up the knee injury in a man-of-the-match performance as he helped the Blues seal the State of Origin series. He made his return from injury for Penrith against Melbourne in Round 24 but hasn't had the same impact on the side as he did in the first half of the NRL season. Since returning from injury he has scored just two tries and his runs are well down on his season average. In the four matches since returning from injury, Edwards has averaged just 182 run metres. In comparison in the four games before Game 3, where he was injured, he averaged 232m.

And on Wednesday night Fox League's James Hooper expressed concern over whether he is fit enough to help lead Penrith to an unprecedented fourth-straight premiership. "You can see he’s got that right knee heavily strapped," Hooper said.

"Normally he is a million miles an hour and an effort player in every area of the game. I just felt like he’s playing a little within himself." While veteran journalist Dean Ritchie says he has been below his best since returning from injury. "He’s been a bit down since State of Origin I think."

Dylan Edwards insists his knee is improving week by week

Speaking to the media earlier this week, Edwards admitted while the injury recovery is a work in progress, every time he steps out onto the field he gains confidence in his knee. "I’m going good and getting better. Everyone is talking about the knee and all that but I’m getting better every week," he said.

"It took a couple of weeks (to feel comfortable on it again) but I’m getting better on it every week and getting more confidence. No one will be playing without something ailing at the moment. It just is what it is."

The Panthers will also be buoyed by the return of Cleary for this weekend's qualifying final against the Roosters. Penrith coach Ivan Cleary confirmed on Wednesday that the halfback had ticked all the boxes needed to take the field this weekend in what is a timely boost for the triple-reigning premiers.

Cleary is also not expected to require pain-killing needles to play after first suffering shoulder instability in the pre-season. And the Panthers coach said the club didn't consider holding their No.7 back to return next week. "He's fit, and this was always the plan to play him this week," coach Cleary said. "The stakes have moved up, and we always want to pick our best team and he is ready this week."

This weekend's match will also mark just the sixth time this season – and only the second time since round 10 – that Penrith will start a game with their first-choice spine.

with AAP