He hasn't been in an NRL starting side in four years, but Kurt Baptiste has declared himself ready to step up for Canberra's clash with the Wests Tigers.
Baptiste is set to be named at No.9 for next Monday's match, with regular starting hooker Josh Hodgson sidelined for up to two weeks with a high ankle sprain.
The 24-year-old has been playing off the bench this season and has been in a starting line-up only once before in his career - for Brisbane in June 2011.
His elevation will likely mean more than double his usual minutes, which to date has only been around 20.
"I'm ready for it," he said on Tuesday.
"I played almost 40 minutes last week, so I'll be ready if I start."
The 10th-placed Raiders, who sit just one win outside the top eight, will also be without damaging forward Sia Soliola who suffered a season-ending fractured cheekbone in Saturday's loss to North Queensland.
Edrick Lee is also suspended for the match against the Tigers at GIO Stadium, but playmaker Blake Austin is available after taking an early guilty plea to a dangerous throw charge.
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Topic: Baptiste set for first start with Raiders
