‘It may be a bit earlier’: Mitchell Moses could make shock return as the Eels rule out going after Daly Cherry-Evans

Parramatta star Mitchell Moses could be back from injury earlier than the expected date of round nine in what would be a major boost to rookie coach Jason Ryles buzzing after his first win last weekend.

Moses hasn’t played at all this season as he continues to recover from a stress reaction in his left foot.

The Eels skipper has started on-field running and is progressing well according to last week’s club injury report, with Moses no chance of taking on the Raiders in Darwin on Saturday night.

But he could be back for their next game in round seven given the longer turnaround until Easter Monday, with the club to weigh up the risks ahead of a round eight bye and then a showdown with the Sharks on May 2 at Magic Round.

“As it stands, I think Mitch is definitely on track to return for round nine,” Eels chief executive Jim Sarantinos

“But subject to how the next couple of weeks go, there may be an outside chance of round seven.

“But I think the medical staff are certainly focusing on a round nine return, and with a bit of luck, it may be a bit earlier.

“Having that bye week and providing extra recovery and making sure Mitch is good to go for the rest of the season and he doesn’t come back prematurely is what we’re focused on.

“When we get him back, we want to have him back for the rest of the year.

“I think if you asked Mitch, he’d want to play tomorrow. But sometimes the medical staff have to save him from himself.”

The Eels would love to have their chief playmaker back on the park to partner Dylan Brown who is coming off his best game of the season after a quiet few weeks following his decision to sign a mega deal to move to Newcastle.

His impending departure leaves a gaping hole in the halves, but Sarantinos has shot down any suggestions the club will go after Sea Eagles veteran Daly Cherry-Evans following his bombshell revelation that 2025 would be his final season at the club.

“Daly’s not someone that we’ve discussed,” he said on SEN.

“Mitchell’s our half, he’s our leader and he’s our general on the field. We’re really happy with Mitch extending his tenure with the club through until the end of 2029.

“Daly is an exceptional player, but in terms of where our focus lies, it lies elsewhere in terms of other areas we need to strengthen in our roster.”