KRISNAN INU is set to be rushed into the Eels side after a successful comeback yesterday with Wentworthville in the NSW Cup, but the Dragons will resist for another week the temptation to pick Wendell Sailor.

Inu, who has been sidelined since the opening round with an ankle injury, played 60 minutes in Wentworthville's 32-28 win over Western Suburbs in the battle of the Magpies at Concord Oval and is likely to make his NRL return in place of injured centre Ben Smith for Friday night's clash with Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium.

But Sailor is likely to have to wait until Friday week's match against the Broncos at WIN Stadium after turning in another solid performance to help the Shellharbour Marlins to a 36-16 defeat of the WA Reds in Saturday night's Jim Beam Cup fixture at Ron Costello Oval.

Watched by a crowd of about 2000 that included St George Illawarra chief executive Peter Doust, director Bob Millward, strength and conditioning coach Paul McGregor, and most of the club's players, Sailor failed to score a try but was heavily involved.

"He didn't get too many opportunities, the other team kicked away from his wing and they put numbers on him when he did get the ball, but one thing he showed is he can still beat a tackler," McGregor said. "His main issues are technical as well as fitness but I'm sure that when he does make the step up he'll handle it."

Sailor said he was encouraged by his progress in the two matches since he returned from a two-year drugs ban that ended his rugby union career, but didn't expect to be picked for the Dragons this week.

"It was a bit of a let-down for me tonight compared to last week, but all in all I'm happy," Sailor told The Illawarra Mercury. "I don't think I was up for the game as I was last week. But that happens, and I was only up as much as [the Reds] let me. When I came and got the ball they gang-tackled me a little bit, so I just want to look to use a bit more footwork in traffic.

"I'm not too worried about not scoring a try out there. There were no mistakes for me. I'm reading it all right and getting my feeling and fitness back."