Down and desperate, Penrith have received mana from heaven with barnstorming back-rower Viliame Kikau making a miraculous recovery from an ankle injury to take on the Wests Tigers on Friday. Kikau was expected to out long-term but trained strongly during Thursday's captain's run and barring a late setback he will boost the Panthers for their NRL Magic Round clash at Suncorp Stadium. The Panthers are winless since taking on the Tigers a month ago and are already facing a massive injury toll with Isaah Yeo (shoulder) and Malakai Watene-Zelezniak (ribs) being ruled out this week. To make matters worse, coach Ivan Cleary made the difficult decision to drop centre Waqa Blake for disciplinary reasons and lock Hame Sele was sidelined with a back problem. It was feared that Kikau was going to spend at least six weeks in the rehab ward after being carried off last week, but after running without issue he is ready to terrorise the Tigers. Tyrell Fuimaono will slot in at centre for Blake after he missed training after misreading a team schedule while Sione Katoa will lock the scrum in Sele's absence.
