Veteran halfback Shaun Johnson is back for the One New Zealand Warriors’ much-anticipated 15th-round NRL encounter with competition leader Melbourne at a sold-out Go Media Stadium on Saturday (7.30pm kick-off).

After missing the club’s last three matches with a pectoral injury, the 33-year-old is set for his 263rd career appearance while vastly experienced centre Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is close to returning from the hamstring injury he suffered on the eve of the 10th-round match against the Sydney Roosters.

Tuivasa-Sheck (31) has been named on the extended bench in jersey #20 but One New Zealand Warriors head coach Andrew Webster said today that he was being targeted for his comeback in the round 16 clash against the Gold Coast Titans on June 22.

Johnson’s inclusion for his 11th appearance in his 14th NRL season sees Te Maire Martin, who has been impressive at halfback in the last three games, reverting to standoff.

Utility Chanel Harris-Tavita, the starting #6 against the Dolphins and North Queensland, has been named on the interchange to provide cover for a number of positions.