Kevin Walters responds to ugly claims about Reece Walsh over early return to NRL

Broncos coach Kevin Walters insists the club are making the right call by allowing Reece Walsh to return a week earlier than expected from a facial fracture. The dynamic fullback was initially reported to be out for between four and six weeks after a controversial incident with Taylan May saw him fracture his cheekbone in Brisbane's 34-12 loss to the Panthers in round three.

The Broncos No.1 will make his return a week ahead of schedule against the table-topping Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium on Friday and will wear headgear to protect his cheekbone. The fact Walsh will be playing in protective gear has seen some fear that he is returning prematurely due to the club being in the midst of an injury crisis. The likes of Payne Haas (knee), Adam Reynolds (hamstring), Brendan Piakura (ankle) and Deine Mariner (back) have all been ruled out of Friday night's encounter with the Dolphins.

But Walters says his new accessory is just a precaution. "There's no risk (with Walsh playing). We want to keep his Hollywood career intact," Walters said.

"He has been cleared by all of our medical staff to take the field. "The headgear is just precautionary ... it's what he has to wear to play. "It's hard for any player to sit out and watch, particularly someone like Reece who lives and breathes rugby league."

The Broncos will have Xavier Willison back after he completed concussion protocols in a welcome boost for the club. While second-rower Jordan Riki sprained his ankle at training on Tuesday but limped through the captain's run on Thursday and is expected to play. "Jordan will play unless he pulls up sore (on Friday morning), " Walters said.

Kevin Walters not concerned about Kotoni Staggs leaving the club

The Broncos have 20 players coming off-contract within the next two seasons, with centre pairing Selwyn Cobbo and Kotoni Staggs set to become two of the biggest profile free agents later this year. With both players expected to demand a salary of more than $700,000 per season, it is hard to see Brisbane being able to retain both players.

But the Broncos say they are not worried about being able to hold onto strike centre Kotoni Staggs beyond 2025, despite the Australia Test centre likely to be a target of several clubs. "Kotoni is very important and our intention is to keep him. It's not in our sights at the moment," Walters said.

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"He is coming off contract at the end of 2025, so (recruitment boss) Simon Scanlan and (CEO) Dave Donaghy can look after that. I will keep coaching Kotoni because he is a great fella to coach. We are really seeing the maturity of Kotoni with a few troops down. He has played his best football."

Staggs, Cobbo, Blake Mozer, Israel Leota, Tristan Sailor, Willison, Corey Jensen and Adam Reynolds are just some of Brisbane's big names that will be without a contract at the end of 2025.

with AAP