Sydney City Roosters

Pearce missed the first eight games of the season after being suspended for his Australia Day actions and his inclusion will be welcome relief for the three-time defending minor premiers who have struggled in his absence so far in 2016.

Teammate Aidan Guerra said it was great to have the experienced playmaker back on the park and praised Pearce for turning his life off the field as well.

"He's been excited to come back to football since the start of the season," Guerra said.

Liu was hit with a grade two charge of making dangerous contact with the head/neck of Lelani Latu, and will miss one match with an early guilty plea or risks a two-game ban if he challenges the charge at the judiciary and loses.

McKendry faces a week out whether or not he takes an early guilty plea for making contact with referee Jared Maxwell late in the contest.