Superstar fullback Latrell Mitchell is firming to return from injury this weekend as South Sydney teammates back Englishman Lewis Dodd to succeed at another NRL club if he decides to leave at the end of the year.

Mitchell hasn’t played since round 17 due to a quad injury but would be a huge inclusion for a team battling to avoid the wooden spoon against the Titans who are only above them on for and against.

The Rabbitohs have been ravaged by injuries to their best players this year, but there is hope that a few of them could return in the coming weeks, with Brandon Smith named on the bench, while Cam Murray and Campbell Graham both trained on Thursday.

Mitchell has been named on an extended bench but could be a late inclusion either at fullback or at left centre if Wayne Bennett decides to keep Jye Gray in the No.1 jersey.

“He did about two-thirds of the session today and he looked good, so fingers crossed he’ll be a massive in for us,” teammate Jacob Host said.

“He’s a great leader who played for NSW this year, and I thought he was outstanding for them. He’ll be captain if he’s out there and that’s what we need in the team – we need leaders – so it’ll be great to have him back.”

Gray wasn’t sure whether Mitchell would be cleared for Sunday’s trip to the Gold Coast but would love to have him back in the team.

“He trained a bit out there today, so it would be awesome to have him back. For sure (it’s the most he’s trained since the injury). He did a bit with the team today, so hopefully it’s all good,” the fullback said.

“We’ll just have to see how he pulls up tomorrow.”

While Mitchell got through most of the session, Dodd was nowhere to be seen, with officials later revealing he was working out in the gym as the squad trained out on the field.

It comes amid reports Bennett has told the halfback he’s free to explore his options despite having another two seasons left on his deal.

The club would have to chip in a portion of his $650,000 a year salary if he does leave, with Dodd only used six times in first grade this year and left out of this week’s roster despite the club having so many players out injured.

“We love having Lewis at the club. I think he’s a great footballer and he’s an even better bloke off the field,” Gray said.

“He’s someone I enjoy being around, and I’m sure beyond this year he’ll hopefully have a future in rugby league. Whatever he wants to do is up to him.

“I think he’s good enough to do so (play at another NRL club). We have an abundance of halves here, but he’s a good footballer and he’ll get a crack somewhere.

“He’s a great fella, he’s down to earth and that’s the reason you see that side of him because he’s a genuine person.”

Souths still have a bye, so a win on Sunday would help them massively in their bid to avoid the spoon, although Host said that word was taboo in the sheds.

“It’s a word we’re not allowed to say,” he revealed.

“He (Bennett) just avoids it at all costs. We’ve had a lot of injuries this year and performances in certain areas haven’t been as good as we wanted it to be, but we’re trying to go out there and keep fighting with the gloves up each week.”