NATHAN Friend is one person who will not be taking the Melbourne Storm lightly when Gold Coast plays the defending premier.

The Titans hooker made his NRL debut for Brisbane in 2002 in the now-famous "baby Broncos" team that, under the guidance of then-assistant coach Craig Bellamy, scored an unlikely upset win over Wests Tigers.

Now Friend will line up for the Titans on Monday night against a Storm team missing up to 10 state-of-origin representatives plus its coach Bellamy to state-of-origin camps. The general wisdom dictates that the Titans, undefeated at home this season, should regain some form in easily beating the reserve Storm side, which, with a couple of changes, was beaten by St George Illawarra 36-12 last month.

However, Friend was yesterday having none of that.

"It's been a little difficult, you could say, because it's a little bit of the unknown (with Melbourne), so we've really just got to worry about our own backyard and hopefully complete the sets that we haven't been doing in (recent) weeks," he said.

Melbourne winger Steve Turner will become the 16th member of the Storm's 2007 premiership side to play for either his state or country if he wins debut selection for NSW in state of origin II. Turner was called into the squad on Wednesday night when Jarryd Hayne failed to have his suspension overturned at the NRL tribunal but will find out today whether he or Canberra's Joel Monaghan, already on stand-by for Mark Gasnier, will get the call-up.

Both could yet end up playing if Gasnier fails a fitness test today, but the star centre completed another session yesterday and is looking increasingly confident of playing Queensland next Wednesday at Suncorp Stadium.

Although Turner said he was preparing as if he would play for the Blues next Wednesday, Storm assistant coach Michael Maguire said there was "every chance" Turner would instead line up for the Storm on Monday. If he does remain with NSW, Matt Geyer would likely take his position at full-back.

"There's every chance that we're going to get Steve Turner back, so until we actually hear from Craig and which way he's going up there (we won't be certain). We're planning as though we're going to have Steve Turner back," Maguire said.

"Craig's basically said to us they'll know by the weekend."

■St George Illawarra recruit Wendell Sailor has set himself the target of scoring in his NRL return tonight against former club Brisbane at WIN Stadium.

Ever the promoter and never one to lack confidence, Sailor admits crossing the tryline would be the ideal way to cap his comeback from a two-year drug suspension and seven-year absence from top flight league.

■Trent Barrett will return from English Super League club Wigan to play for Cronulla in the NRL. The Sharks yesterday confirmed they had secured the services of the five-eighth in a two-year deal starting next year.

Barrett has played 11 Test matches for Australia and seven times for NSW in state of origin.

With AAP