Sharks facing No.1 dilemma with Tracey, Kennedy racing clock

Sharks star Nicho Hynes said it was too early in the week to tell who would be available between Connor Tracey and Will Kennedy as both battle to overcome injuries ahead of Saturday's finals clash.

The pair were named in Cronulla's squad on Tuesday for their home final against the Roosters but are yet to properly train with the side with a call likely to be made on them on Wednesday afternoon. 

Tracey injured his knee against the Raiders while Kennedy is closing in on a return from a hamstring injury suffered in Round 22.

"It would be nice to have the same spine we've had for the last couple of weeks but hopefully Connor pulls through, and if he can't hopefully Will pulls through otherwise I don't know what we're going to do," Hynes said.

"Connor's been playing great footy and deserves the right to be playing. He's an NRL player and I'm happy for him. Will is a first-class fullback and we're very fortunate to have both."

Meanwhile, representative big names Jahrome Hughes, Joey Manu and Kalyn Ponga headline a host of stars set to return for the opening week of the Telstra Premiership finals series. 

The Māori All Stars trio were all sidelined in Round 27 through injuries but are back on deck and have been named with Manu's Roosters and Ponga's Knights entering into sudden-death matches immediately this weekend. 

Ponga's expected return is most significant with the Knights fullback suffering a high-grade AC joint injury when the side last played at McDonald Jones Stadium on August 27. 

Departing fullback Lachlan Miller is on standby for Ponga, who is expected to manage the injury through the duration of the finals series while Jackson Hastings (ankle) and Lachlan Fitzgibbon (shoulder) are on track to make returns.

The Storm are confident Hughes has overcome an MCL injury in time to feature for the side ahead of their top preliminary final qualifier against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium. 

Storm hooker Harry Grant is also back on deck after a shoulder injury ruled him out of the final round of the regular season. 

Manu is expected to line up after a low-grade hamstring issue kept him out of the side's win over the Rabbitohs last week but given the Roosters enter must-win territory he is on track to be available. 

Meanwhile, the Broncos have named Adam Reynolds in the halves for Friday's clash against the Storm after the veteran halfback told media at the finals launch on Monday he had overcome a groin problem. 

Broncos forward Patrick Carrigan (foot) has also been named but coach Kevin Walters has left out veteran Corey Oates in the backline, with Jesse Arthars preferred on the wing.