Canberra coach Ricky Stuart insists star halfback George Williams' homesickness can be sorted before it turns into a bigger issue for the club.
Williams will make his return from a hamstring injury in Saturday's clash with Newcastle, giving the Raiders some good news in a rough week.
Josh Papalii will also play after being rested in last week's loss to South Sydney, with Stuart adamant his big-name prop has told him repeatedly he wants to play.
But Williams' issues extend well beyond his hamstring.
The Englishman is experiencing homesickness after not being able to return over summer due to COVID-19 and discovering he is expecting his first child.
The 26-year-old is contracted until the end of next year, but his old Wigan coach Adrian Lam has already confirmed he would be interested in bringing him home in 2022.
"We'll get around George. People go through this type of situation," Stuart said.
"The club will get around George I've known about this for three weeks, so it's not new.
"It's not uncommon for people to find homesickness, but it's not a disease, it goes away. So we'll do everything we can for George and (his partner) Charlie."
It's just one of several spotfires at the club after three straight losses.
Canberra were considered a genuine title contender at the start of the season, but enter the round ninth with just three wins from their opening eight games.
Several of their senior players have struggled for form and fitness, with Jarrod Croker still sidelined alongside Josh Hodgson and younger fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
Joseph Tapine's wife last week created headlines when she questioned Stuart's bench rotation on social media, while Queensland State of Origin prop Dunamis Lui hasn't been sighted in first grade since round four.
Hooker Josh Hodgson is also rumoured to be considering his future, after the call was made for him to relinquish the co-captaincy last month.
Stuart on Friday insisted that issue was also dealt with when asked if he was confident Hodgson was committed to the club.
"We knew about (the Hodgson situation) two or three weeks ago, it hasn't surprised us," Stuart responded.
"We've dealt with this, we've moved on."
The Raiders coach took a subtle jab at the club's critics by stating he was relaxed preparing for the Wagga Wagga game and out of the spotlight.
"It's relaxing, you get out of the crap you read and hear and sit down with real genuine people who follow the game," Stuart said.
"From my point of view, the first thing I look at (when a team is losing) is how the players energy is around the facility of training.
"The boys are upbeat.
"Hopefully a win is not far away and it fixes a lot of the uneasiness and disgruntled (feeling) you get from losing."
Australian Associated Press
