Lewis Dodd may finally get a start in South Sydney's halves in Magic Round. -PR Handout Image
Out-of-favour recruit Lewis Dodd is preparing for a long-awaited first game starting in South Sydney's halves at NRL Magic Round.
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With starting halves Jamie Humphreys and Cody Walker both injured and Latrell Mitchell accepting a one-game ban, Souths are low on spine options for Saturday's clash against Newcastle.
Jye Gray did not partake in the club's field session on Monday morning but Souths' form player was active in the gym and is expected to shift from five-eighth and replace Mitchell at fullback.
That has left Dodd and Josh Schuster as Souths' options to partner Jayden Sullivan in the halves and it was the Englishman who lined up on the left edge at Souths' opposed session in Maroubra on Monday.
Dodd also stayed late at training to practice his kicking alongside Sullivan.
Schuster's chances of a first NRL start since 2023 appear remote after he trained with the reserves in the pouring rain.
Humphreys' form and two separate suspensions had kept Dodd out of the side for the opening six weeks after arriving from English club St Helens.
Dodd has subsequently played two games from the bench, the second two defeats of Souths' three-game losing streak.
Dodd's stint starting in the halves may be restricted to as little as one game with first-choice halfback Humphreys closing in on his return from a hamstring injury.
Humphreys had originally been targeting a round-nine return before suffering a setback but was running at training on Monday in positive signs for the breakout star.
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