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Penrith are being patient with Nathan Cleary's return from a shoulder injury to make sure he's mentally ready for a run into the NRL finals.

Penrith centre Stephen Crichton says Nathan Cleary's confidence needs to be high enough to handle an NRL return as he nurses a shoulder injury that could still end his season.

The NSW halfback has been named in No.21 for Friday night's clash with St George Illawarra but will be given every chance to show he can handle the contact in the days leading into the game.

Cleary was also named on an extended bench to face Sydney Roosters last weekend but was given another week off, raising doubts about his ability to recover well enough to play again this season.

It will have been almost seven weeks since Cleary suffered the shoulder injury during State of Origin II and then opted to rehab the injury rather than go for surgery to fix it.

It was a gamble the club took to give him a chance to play again this season, although there were no guarantees it would work.

The 23-year-old has done contact work with the Panthers and by all reports is recovering well and was close to playing against the Roosters.

However, the mental battle is another hurdle he will need to cross, particularly given the opposition will certainly target him to test his shoulder.

"He's been coming in and out, he's really professional with what he does with his prehab and all of that," said Crichton, who makes his return from suspension against the Dragons on Friday.

"It comes down to the coach's decision and how Nathan handles it.

"He's got a few contact sessions coming up and he's got to be ready mentally before we bring him back.

"We don't want to bring him back underdone and he does his shoulder again.

"We definitely don't want to bring him back underdone."

The timing of Cleary's comeback will be important for the Panthers who are clinging onto second spot on the ladder with games against fellow heavyweights South Sydney and Parramatta to come in the next month.

In the meantime, Jarome Luai and Matt Burton have been combining in the halves to steady the ship.

Should Cleary come back into the side after a long lay-off, Crichton said it will take him no time to rekindle his electric combination with NSW teammate Luai.

"He knows the game in and out and he was playing his best footy before that injury," he said.

"Every week he's in there with every meeting with the boys, giving us little tips on other teams and the way to play.

"He's still teaching us the game as if he's been playing for 10 years."